
Class JJABSJD^- 
BookJX&Mi^ 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



OF THE 



COUNTY OF DONEGAL, 



OBSERVATIONS 

ON 

THE MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT ; 

DRAWN UP IN THE YEAR 1801, 
FOR THE CONSIDERATION, AND UNDER THE DIRECTION 

OF 

Cfte Dublin ©octets 

BY 

JAMES M'PARLAN, M. D. 



PRINTED BY GRAISBERRY AND CAMPBELL,. 

NO. 10, BACK- LANE* 

1802. 



5^ 3% 

TO THE READER, 



This Report is at present printed and circulated 
for the purpose merely of procuring further infor- 
mation, respecting the state and husbandry of this 
district, and of enabling every one interested in the 
welfare of this country, to examine it fully, and con- 
tribute his mite to its improvement. 

The Society do not deem themselves pledged to 
any opinion given by the Author of this Survey ; 
and they desire, that nothing contained in it be con- 
sidered as their sentiments ; they have only pub- 
lished it, as the report of the gentleman, whose 
name is affixed, and they publish it for the com- 
ments and observations of all persons, which they 
entreat to be given freely, and without reserve. 

It is therefore requested, that the observations on 
reading this work may be returned to the Dublin 
Society, as soon as may be convenient, and which 
will meet with the fullest attention in a future 
edition. 



DEDICATION 

TO 

GENERAL VALLANCEY, 

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE DUBLIN SOCIETY, &C. 
SIR, 

I have the honour of inscribing to you the 
Statistical Survey of the County of Donegal, as 
my mite of admiration of your deep and universal 
learning, your universality in the languages and 
polite arts, and your indefatigable application 
of those accomplishments to serve the Dublin 
Society, and, of course, the empire at large. 

I have the honour to be, Sir, 

Your obliged and obedient servant, 

dublin, _ JAMES M'PARLAN. 

JULY 1802. 



PREFACE 



• 

THE subject of soil and surface extended into 
greater length than I should have thought it could, 
till I reflected on its great variety and the very- 
great extent of the county. The words soil and 
surface too, I was verbally given to understand, 
required not only a description of the different 
kinds of pasture, moulds, and substrations, but 
also a general view of the face of the country, 
its improvements, &c. 

There were among the printed suggestions of 
enquiry, given me by the Dublin Society, for 
forming the statistical reports, two subjects, viz. 
education and tithe. The latter of thofe subjects, 
having passed it unnoticed in the report, -I should 
not here introduce, but to assure the public, that 
in all Ireland I believe, certainly in the other 

counties 



VI PREFACE. 

counties which I have viewed, and other parts I 
am best acquainted with, tithe is no where fo 
moderately charged, and collected with such ease 
to the poor, as in this county. The clergymen 
send out viewers, according to whose report they 
make a moderate charge to the landholders, which 
they chearfully pay at their leisure, and with mu- 
tual satisfaction to themselves and the incumbent. 
It is impossible, however, that this could be 
otherwise, for the clergy of this county, to most 
of whom I have for some years had the honor of 
being known, are composed of gentlemen conspi- 
cuous for every species of virtue and of worth. 



SUGGESTIONS. 



SUGGESTIONS OF ENQUIRY 



fOR GENTLEMEN WHO SHALL UNDERTAKE THE FORMING Off 



AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS. 



GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Situation and Extent, 

Divifions, 

Climate, 

Soil and Surface, 

Minerals, 

Water. 



AGRICULTURE. 

Mode of culture, 

Extent of it, and of each fpecies of grain fowed, 

Courfe of crops, 

Ufe of oxen — how harneiTed, 

Nature and ufe of implements of huibandry, 

Markets for grain, 

Ufe of green food in winter, 

PASTURE, 



viii SUGGESTIONS 

PASTURE. 

Nature of it. 

Breed of cattle — how far improved, 

— — how far capable of further improvement, 

Markets or Fairs for them, 

General prices, 

Modes of feeding — how far houfed in winter, 

Natural grafTes, 

Artificial grafTes, 

Mode of hay-making, 

Dairies, their produce, 

Prices of hides, tallow, wool, and quantity fold. 



FARMS. 

Their fize, 

Farm houfes and offices, 

Mode of repairing them, whether by landlord or tenant, 

Nature of tenures, 

General ftate of leafes, 

of particular claufes therein, 

Taxes or CelTes paid by tenants, 

Proportion of working horfes or bullocks, to the fize of farms, 

General fize of fields, or enclofures, 

Nature of fences, 

Mode of hedge-rows, and keeping hedges, 

Mode of draining, 

Nature of manures. 

GENERAL 



OF ENQUIRY. 



IX 



GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Population, 

Number and fize of villages and towns, 

Habitation, fuel, food and cloathing of the lower rank — their 
general coft, 

Price of wages, labour and provifions, 

State of tithe, its general amount on each article — what arti- 
cles are exempt, and what charged by modus, 

Ufe of beer and fpirits — whether either or which is increafing, 

State of roads, bridges, &c. 

— - of navigations and navigable rivers, 

— of fifheries, 

State of education, fchools, and charitable inflitutions, 
of abfentee and refident proprietors, 

— of circulation of money or paper, 
of farming or agricultural focieties, 

— of manufactures, whether increafing, 

— — of encouragement to them, and the peculiar aptnefs of 

the fituation for their extension, 
1 of mills of every kind, 

— of plantations and planting, 

— — of the effects of the encouragement heretofore given to 
them by the Society, particularifed in the lift annexed. 

of any improvements which may occur for future en- 
couragement, and particularly for the prefervation of 
the trees, when planted, 

• ' of nurferies v/ithin the county and extent of Tales. 

Price 



x SUGGESTIONS 

Price of timber and ftate of it, in the county, 

Quantity of bog and wafte ground, 

Poflibility and means of improving it, 

Obftacles to it and bed: means of removing them, 

Habits of induftry, or want of induftry among the people, 

The ufe of the Englifh language, whether general, or how far 

increafing. 
Account of towers, caftles, monafteries, ancient buildings, or 

places remarkable for any hiftorical event, 
Churches — refident clergy, glebes and glebe houfes, 
Whether the county has been actually furveyed, when and 

whether the furvey is publifhed. 
Weights and meafures, liquid or dry — in what inftances are 

weights afligned for meafures — or vice verfd* 
The weight or meafure, by which grain, flour, potatoes, butter, 

&c. are fold. 



CONTENTS. 



CONTENTS. sail 



GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Page. 
Population, . . . . 63 

Number and size of villages and towns, . 64 

Habitation, fuel, food, and cloathing of the lower 

rank — their general cost, . . ibid. 

State of tithe, its general amount on each article, 
what articles are exempt and what charged by 
modus. . . . . 66 

Use of beer and spirits, whether either or xvhich 

is increasing . . . . . 67 

Price of labour and provisions, . . ibid. 

State of roads, bridges, 8Cc. . . 6B 

Of navigations and navigable rivers, . 69 

Of Fisheries, . . . . 71 

White Fishing, , . . . 72 

Whale Fishery, . , , . 73 

Salmon Fishery, .... 74. 

State of Education, Schools, and Charitable In- 
stitutions, .... ibid. 
Of absentee and resident Proprietors, . 77 
Of circulation of money or paper, %% 
Of farming or agricultural Societies, . ibid. 
Of manufactures — whether increasing, . 90 
Of encouragement to them and the peculiar apt- 
ness of the situation for their extension, 92 



xiv CONTENTS. 

Page. 

Of mills of every kind . . . 94 

Of plantations and planting, . . ibid. 

Of the effects of the encouragement heretofore 
given them by the Society, particularized in 
the list annexed. . . . 96 

Of any improvement, which may occur for future 
encouragement, and particularly for the pre- 
servation of the trees when planted. . ibid. 
Of nurseries within the county, and extent of sales, 97 
Price of timber and state of it in the county, 98 

Quantity of bog and waste ground, . ibid. 

Possibility and means of improving if, . ibid. 

Obstacles to it, and best means of removing those 

obstacles, .... 99 

Habits of industry or want of it among the 

people, . . . .100 

The use of the English language, whether gene- 

ral or how far encr easing ', . . 101 

Account of towers, castles, monasteries, ancient 
buildings, or places remarkable for histori- 
cal events, .... ibid. 
Monasteries, . . . .104 
Churches, resident clergy, glebes and glebe- 
houses, . . . 120 
Whether the county has been actually svrveyed, 
when and whether the survey is published, ibid. 

Weights 



CONTENTS. xv 



Page. 



Weights and measures, liquid and dry, in what 
instances are weights assigned for measures, 
or vice versa, . . . 121 

The weight or measure by which grain, flour, 
potatoes, butter, Kc. are sold, . 122 

Baron Pynnafs Survey of Donegal, . ibid. 

The precinct of Boylagh and Banna gh, allotted 
to Scottish undertakers, . . 123 

Precincts of Portlough, appointed to Scottish 
undertakers, . . . .124 

Precinct of Liffer, allotted to English under- 
takers, . . . 125 

Precinct of Kilmacrennan, allotted to Servitors 
and Natives, . . . . 12S 



STATISTICAL 



Londonderry and Tyrone up as far as Strabane, and 



some 




Bloody t^wd^ 
Iinslrh'i' 



Irtish®? B 







STATISTICAL SURVEY 



OF THE 



COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 

GEOGRAPHICAL STATE sA.ND CIRCUMSTANCES, 

Situation and Extent. 

A HERE- are three counties, which for some miles 
run parallel with each other into the ocean, and con- 
stitute the north extremity of Ireland, viz. Done- 
gal, Londonderry, and Antrim. Donegal stretches 
on the west, and is surrounded by the sea on the 
north and west ; on the south, by the bay of Bal- 
ly shannon, and small portions of the counties of 
Leitrim and Fermanagh, which meet near Bel- 
leek; and on the east by the counties of London- 
derry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh. Lough Foyle and 
the Foyle river might be called the natural boundary 
of Donegal on the east ; by those it is divided from 
Londonderry and Tyrone up as far as Strabane, and 

E some 




e<8> 



2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

some miles higher up, where the tide is sometimes 
observed to swell the river. But to this there is an 
exception ; for on the west of the Foyle water a seg- 
ment of a circle, three miles deep, has been taken off 
the county of Donegal, and granted to English set- 
ters, on which the city of Deny was built and 
stands. This little territory is called, the Liberties 
of Deny ; and with this exception only the boun- 
daries stand as stated. 

The length of this county cannot be less than 
about seventy miles, from the county of Leitrim to 
Mawlin Head. 

The breadth differs very much in different parts, 
from thirty-five miles to twelve. 

Ballyshannon, which is within two miles of the 
southern extremity of the county, is west of Green- 
wich, long. 8. 2. and in N. lat. 54. 31. 

Divisions. 

This county is divided into five baronies, Tyrhugh, 
Boylagh and Bannagh, Kilmacrennan, Baphoe, and 
Jnnishowen ; and forty-one parishes. 

The barony of Tyrhugh, constitutes the southern 
part of the county, from Leitrim to the famous gap of 
Barnesmore, and the environs of the town of Donegal. 
. Boylagh and Ba?inagh, extends from thence to 
the sea north and west, including the towns of Dun- 
kanealy, Killybeggs, and Rutland, and the immense 
tracts of mountain, which darken this scope. 

Kilmacrennan 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 3 

Kilmacrennan turns from thence east to Lough- 
swilly, including the towns of Dunfanaghy, Ra- 
melton, and Letterkenny ; including also the Lough- 
salt mountains, the points going into the sea, called 
Rossgull and Fanad, the bays of Sheephaven and 
Mulroy, and the district called Cloghanealy, with all 
their appurtenant mountains. 

Bap hoe, occupies the whole scope and the best 
grounds in the county, from Barnesmore, along the 
Finwater, to the environs of Deny, including the 
towns of Ballybofay, Stranarlar, Raphoe,, Lifford, 
and the districts of the Blanketnook and Laggan. 

Innishowen runs from Raphoe north, and forms 
the great peninsula, included between the famous 
harbours of Lough-foyle and Lough-swilly. 

Climate. 

As in Ireland the cold may be said to increase 
with the degrees of north latitude, consequently 
Donegal, which forms part of its northern extremity, 
may be supposed, and in fact is perceived to be 
somewhat colder than the southern parts of it. It is 
also wetter, being half surrounded by the ocean, and 
bestrewed with high mountains. 

Soil and Surface. 

To give a general bird's-eye-view of this county, 
its natural division is into two regions, the mountain 

B2 and 



4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and champain regions. The western parts of the 
barony of Tyrhugh on the sea, with the intervention 
of Barnesmore mountains, connect themselves with 
the barony of Raphoe, and form both the champain 
region ; while all the rest of the county may in strict- 
ness of meaning be denominated the mountain re- 
gion. But this mountain region is interspersed, par- 
ticularly in the baronies of Kilmacrennan and In- 
nishowen, with fertile vallies and some openings of 
good lands. 

In the barony of Tyrhugh adjoining Leitrim, the 
lands are deep, coarse, some rushy and wet ; nearer 
to and about Ballyshannon, they assume a superior 
quality of soil on limestone quarries : the town and 
environs are pretty, and the neighbourhood speck- 
led with a few gentlemens' seats. The town has vast- 
ly improved within a few years, and is acquiring 
some degree of importance in trade, the great in- 
crease and maturity of which depends on raising a 
wall to shelter the approach of shipping from the 
western storms ; a wall of no prodigious extent, 
or expence, considering the object ; and also on the 
completion of a canal, between Lough Erne and the 
sea at Ballyshannon. Subscriptions have been en- 
tered into for this purpose, and part of the excava- 
tion formed at Belleek. 

This limestone quarry extends itself right and 
left to within five miles of Donegal, carrying a thin 

surface 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 5 

surface of light brown gravelly soil; near to and in 
many yards about Ballyshannon, the soil is deep 
and rich ; none deeper or richer than the reclaimed 
parts, and indeed, shame to tell it, within one mile 
of Ballyshannon the heath and moss look as savage 
and as sour, on one side of the fence, as the mea- 
dow is sweet and luxuriant on the other. 

This space of five miles, from Ballyshannon to 
Ballintra, is in a great many parts moory, heathy, 
and very rocky, particularly to the south east, where 
after a breadth of three or four miles from the sea 
it degenerates into a tract of mountain, ten or twelve 
miles broad, and coming round by Pettigo, Lough - 
derg, and Fermanagh, to unite with the mountains 
of Barnesmore. And while I am now on those moun- 
tains, I shall travel my reader over the same ridge, 
upwards of 150 miles in half a minute; for after 
sloping from Belleek, by the borders of Fermanagh, 
round to Barnesmore, they then curve making an 
obtuse angle down to Killibeggs ; from thence up- 
wards of fifteen miles below it to that huge western 
promontory Cape-telling; from thence an immea- 
surable expanse dilates itself to Rutland and Rosses, 
all round the sea to Derry, and down to the bottom 
of Innishowen's Mawlin Head ; the same ridge pur- 
sues the sea round to Greencastle, from whence in- 
terrupted only by Loughfoyle, it sweeps out of 
view into the county of Antrim. 

But 



6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

But to return to Ballintra, midway between Bal- 
lyshannon and Donegal, Brownhall, within a mile of 
that dismal little town, is not to be overlooked. This 
is the seat of Mr. Hamilton, who is decended from 
one of the early settlers under James the first ; and 
dismal as the little town of Ballintra is, more dismal 
a great deal and more horridly gloomy, particularly 
on the south and east, is the country, which surrounds 
this mansion, but the mansion itself is handsome; 
there is a small lake in view of the house, the effect of 
which is highly improved by a river, which winds 
through the groves of the demesne ; sometimes un- 
der, and sometimes over ground ; sometimes in a 
smooth glide, reflecting the surrounding objects, 
and sometimes dashing out of view along precipices 
thickly overhung with wood. This scenery is called 
the Pullins : the demesne when well dressed is ex- 
tremely pretty. 

From Brownhall and Ballintra to Donegal, in- 
cluding the breadth from Bamesmore to the sea, 
the country swells into bleak hills, which, though 
very high, are many of them covered with a good 
vegetative soil, deep from ten to twenty inches, 
on a black, hard, earthy bottom, sometimes in- 
durated to a slaty consistence. 

From Donegal, a pretty little town, but of no 
consideration in any point of view, to Dunkanealy 
another little town of no note (a distance of nine 

miles. 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 1 

miles, by from two to three broad, between the sea 
and the mountains in the barony of Boylagh and 
Bannagh) the soil is light and poorer than the last 
described, on a brown clay bottom: rent from twelve 
to seventeen shillings per acre. 

The little stripe last described might be allowed 
to belong to the champain region ; but here at Dun- 
kanealy completely commences the mountain region, 
which stretches, as already mentioned, twenty miles in 
that direction, including Killibeggs, to Telling head. 

This prospect includes a view of the beautiful and 
safe harbour of Killibeggs, admitting large ships of 
any burden up to the doors, and capable of receiving 
the English navy under the shelter and protection of 
the surrounding hills. 

From Dunkanealy to Killibeggs, and from thence 
to cape Telling, a distance as mentioned of about 
twenty miles, where the ocean in that direction ter- 
minates the mountain region, the soil of the cultivable 
glens is a light gravelly till, bottomed by earths and 
rocks of various colours, yellow, reddish, grey, &c. 
for which the shelly sea-sand of right proves admi- 
rable manure. 

In returning from cape Telling by Killibeggs, and 
proceeding from thence through Boylagh and Ban- 
nagh, to the part of this barony called the Rosses, a 
gentle sloping heath leads you to a considerable 
height above the sea ? from whence the bay of Killi- 
beggs, 



8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

beggs, and the scenery just described, appears to 
considerable advantage, and produces an enviable 
contrast with the very high unbroken mountains, and 
the uninterrupted sombre shade of the heaths, which 
every where rise before you. 

After advancing, however, some miles through this 
region, one meets some rich vallies well peopled and 
cultivated, and even some gentlemens' seats ; such as 
Mr. Nesbitt's, of Woodhill, who has a wide handsome 
demesne, Mr. Hamilton's, of Eden, Mr. Maxwell's, 
of Castlegolan, Mr. Montgomery's, of Enniskeel, and 
some others. 

From this scene, however, of partial cultivation 
and life, in approaching still farther northward to 
Rosses and Rutland by the road of Glanties, one 
there fortunately meets an hotel in the centre of a sa- 
vage wild; and this savage wildness extends to Rut- 
land on all sides, a distance of ten or twelve miles, 
exhibiting nothing to diversify the sombre sameness 
of the wide extending heaths; as Lord Bristol ob- 
served of this ride, presenting u nothing curious to 
engage admiration , and nothing horrid enough to 
stare at." 

In arriving at Burton port, off Rutland, it was 
night ; in the morning, anxious to look about I saw 
a new region of scattered rocks and hills, some be- 
longing to the main land, and some separated from 
it ; and from each other, by the ocean : those rocks 

had 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 9 

had at top some a thin covering of moss and heath, 
some few were cultivated to verdure,, and innume- 
rable smaller ones lay tossed about in shattered dis- 
order and total denudation. 

These are the islands of Rosses ; one, in particular, 
raised its brown head mountain high, at a distance of 
about two miles from the shore. This, except one, is 
the remotest, and being the largest is called Arran- 
more, and contains 600 acres thickly inhabited. 

The island called Eddernessfree is well reclaimed, 
and fattens cows, sheep, and horses for Mr. Mans- 
field, with only the trouble of draining and appli- 
cation of shelly sea-sand in common tillage. This 
shews the feasibility of reclaiming not only all those 
islands, but every part of the adjoining continent, that 
bears the necessary depth of surface, as all are of the 
same quality. 

The town of Rutland is built on the island of Innis- 
M'Durn, containing 183 acres; about a dozen good 
houses besides stores have been built, but are falling 
fast into decay since the failure of the herring fishery 
on this coast. There are in all twenty-two islands, 
all inhabited except two or three. 

In proceeding eastward from Rutland towards 
Dunfanaghy, the blackest scenes of view, horror, and 
disappointment succeed each other ; the fractured and 
disjointed rocks look more leaden and more dismally 

dismantled, 



10 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

dismantled, and the mosses breathe a browner horrot 
on the heaths. 

In proceeding from Guidowr to Dunfanaghy, in the 
barony of Kilmacrennan, a morning's ride of seven- 
teen miles, the heath gets gradually short, and ceases 
on the low lands. When one has got seven miles from 
Guidowr, the aspect and quality of the soil differ in 
proportion to the length of the heath ; at Guidowr it 
is a perfect black, a few miles farther on a lighter 
black, still nearer to Dunfanaghy the heath gets 
shorter, less of it, and acquires a russet or tawny co- 
lour ; at length about Dunfanaghy, near the sea, there 
is not much heath, and the general complexion is a 
sickly green. Hereabout is the district called Clogh- 
anealy. 

In all the route from Rosses to Dunfanaghy, the 
surface, except a few green spots rarely intervening 
in the vallies, and on the edges of the rivulets rush- 
ing from the mountains, consists of a thin coat of 
peat moss, substrated with a coarse white gravel, un- 
der which appear clays, white, brown, blue, yellow, 
&c. and frequently the undermost bottom visible in 
the banks of the rivers is the granite rock every 
where, in what I have seen of the mountain region, 
to be seen under and over ground. 

In approaching within a few miles of Dunfanaghy, 
one meets some gentlemens' seats ; Mr. Johnston's 

romantic 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. n 

romantic mansion, Cashel, Mr. Swinney's, the Mr. 
Alford's demesnes somewhat relieve and enliven this 
scene. Mr. Stewart of Hornhead's pretty retreat is 
seated on an eminence, sufficiently high to look with 
very good effect, through some planting and scattered 
trees, over Sheephaven bay and the seaport town of 
Dunfanaghy; in the back ground of this scene, a 
gradual but uneven sweep of sandy hills, granite and 
crystal rocks, rise to a great height, and terminate 
in the ocean. 

Here is to be seen that awfully frightful and cu- 
rious phenomenon, called M l Swine's gun. 

By delapidation or decomposition of part of the 
rock, time and the washing of the waves have perfo- 
rated a cave many j-ards in diameter, which extends 
about twenty yards into a rock making part of the 
main land, and horizontal with the levels of the sea at 
high and low water marks, or nearly so. 

This cavity then ascends, and appears by an aper- 
ture at the surface of the rock not much wider than 
a large kitchen chimney. 

When the wind blows due. north, and the tide half 
in, this gun of M'Swine's is seen to spout shots of sea- 
water far higher than the eye can reach into the air, 
with terrific explosion, to be heard, it is said, from 
twenty to thirty miles, from its alarming effect on the 
ears I should suppose fifty. 

A route 



12 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

A route of seven or eight miles, through a country 
the same in every respect as last described, a russet 
or sickly green for a mile or two near the sea, dege- 
nerating southward into a wild expanse of mountain, 
bring in view some of the improvements of Ards, the 
seat of Mr. Stewart. I passed from Marble-hill, across 
an arm of the sea, without a guide, to one of the rere 
approaches ; it was not easy to decide, which most to 
admire, the rude grandeur of the wooded mountains, 
or even there the cultivation and dress of the low 
grounds. A circuitous and pleasant ride through the 
grounds, of about an hour, presented the splendid 
mansion of this family; it consists in front of two 
principal rooms, forty feet by thirty each, brilliantly 
lighted by lofty and bowed windows; the middle 
compartment between those two rooms is a very fine 
hall, not inferior to them in extent, and lighted at top 
by a large glass dome ; this opens to a light hand- 
some staircase, which leads to two stories of suitable 
sleeping rooms and apartments, varying all in fasci- 
nating sceneries of landscape, which appear from the 
windows. 

From this front recedes another compartment, con- 
sisting of a breakfast parlour, &c. &c. and up stairs 
are suites of excellent and convenient apartments, 
and all the offices in their different kinds complete 
and handsome as the house. 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 13 

In walking from the house, on the bank of the bay 
of Ards, to the east shrubbery distant about half a 
mile, to which a gravel walk leads, separated from 
the bay by a festooned fringe of shrubs and flowers, 
the improvement of the grounds, lawns, glens, and 
thickets, the view of the bay, the rocks and distant 
mountains of Rossgul, are all picturesque. 

In returning, the various intrusions of the wooded 
points of the demesne on the bay, terminated by the 
ancient castle of Doe, and at an agreeable distance 
the mountain of Muckish raising his lofty summit 
above the surrounding hills, are indeed a charming 
view. 

The grand approach (not yet finished) descends 
from the rude and ancient forests of the back grounds. 
It varies so constantly in picture and pleasure, as to 
elude description, and to be exceeded only by the 
romantic and beauteous scenery of the gravel walks. 

In facing towards the house from the western shrub- 
bery and bathing room, that rustic retreat of exercise 
and health, the view of the house, taken late in a 
summer's evening from the Catrock point, satiates 
imagination. 

In a word, the tout ensemble is so totally different 
from inland views and improvements, that it exhibits 
a separate species equally unique and beautiful. The 
gardens, hot and green houses, are in full plight and 
bearing. 

Mr. 



14 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. Stewart's absence from home, in setting some 
of his estates, deprived me of much information in 
farming, as he reclaimed all this fine demesne, and 
has in annual succession ten or twelve acres of pota- 
toes, wheat, barley, oats, carrots, turnips, and clo- 
vers; but Lady Mary in the most obliging manner 
sent persons to shew me the demesne and improve- 
ments, and in departing from Ards to pilot me over 
the bay to Doe castle and llossgul. 

In proceeding eastward from the charming retreat of 
Ards, the Lough-salt mountains rise to a considerable 
degree of altitude ; they are horribly dark and irre- 
claimable, the rocks, except a little black heath, and 
a slight scarf skin of moss, being in a perfect state of 
denudation. The red deer, those ancient inhabitants 
of this island, are still, I am credibly informed, to be 
seen in some unfrequented parts of this region, parti- 
cularly among the mountains, that encompass Glenvah. 

After advancing four or five miles from Ards, one 
turns at Leacka bridge due north into the district 
called Rossgul, leaving Ards and Sheephaven bay on 
the left ; and after traversing this district twenty-five 
miles round, it appears to be of the same quality , 
complexion, tillage, and pasture, as Cloghanealy. 

This district being almost surrounded by Sheep- 
haven and Ards bays on one side, and on the other 
by that arm of the sea called Mulroy, it was neces- 
sary to return into the continent, in order to get into 

another 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 15 

another stretch of country, called Fanad, which is 
also almost insulated by Mulroy bay east, and Lough 
Swilly west. 

Here, after a range of about fifty miles, I am ena- 
bled to state, that the appearance of the country, 
heaths, verdure and tillage, are of the same com- 
plexion and produce, as the two last mentioned 
districts of this mountain region, Rossgul and Clogh- 
anealy, with this difference, that the mountains here 
acquire a superior degree of altitude, recede more 
asunder, and that the interstices are much more 
fertile. 

The soil of those interstices and vallies is either 
a good vegetative brown gravelly mould, or inclin- 
ing to a till bottomed by a white gravel, brownish 
or reddish clay, sometimes slate of various colours, 
and sometimes soft freestone rock. 

Both here and at Hornhead, the drifting sands 
have covered and destroyed many acres of green 
grounds. Mr. Ross in Fanad, is now planting bent 
to prevent the diffusion of those sands. 

In coming from Rossgul into Fanad by Lough-salt 
mountain, after ascending it near the summit, the 
retrospect of Ards, the bays, mountains, Islands of 
Torrey, and the ocean, is a delightful coup d'oeil, 
so much so, that parties come in the summer season 
from ten to twenty miles to the top of this mountain, 
to feast on cold meat and enjoy the prospect. On 

the 



16 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the side of this mountain is the lake, after which it 
is called, at least one thousand feet higher than the 
sea; the water is beautifully pellucid, the most so 
I ever saw, except that of Holly well. 

A few minutes ride from this lake brings in view 
a fertile, corny scope of country, extending, with 
little intervention of very wild mountain, east to 
Lough Swilly, and south and west to Letterkenny 
and the surrounding mountains. This is all in the 
barony, and chiefly in the parish of Kilmacrennan. 

The only difference in complexion, soil, or pro- 
duce, between this and the district last described is, 
though hilly, its being still more level, and rather 
more fertile, except Fanad, which rivals it in num- 
ber and succession of crops. 

In approaching Lough Swilly, by Ramelton, a 
small inconsiderable seaport town, Fort Stuart sud- 
denly appears, the seat of Sir James Stuart, on the 
verge of this famous lake, if so may be called an ex- 
pansion of the sea approaching to meet the river 
Swilly. 

The demesne appears to have been all reclaimed ; 
Sir James shewed some heath in the middle of his 
finest fields. It is extensively planted with much 
judgment and good effect, and turned to all the ad- 
vantage, in soil and shew, that its pretty situation 
and cold mould is capable of. 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 17 

In traversing the banks of Lough Swilly, from Fort 
Stuart to Letterkenny, some of the low grounds ap- 
pear to be very fleecy rich meadow ; but it is a 
shame to see in this ride such tracts of dry arable 
mountain, still in a state of nature. 

In this ride, the mountains west and south are 
widely skirted with cultivation and people, and some 
gentlemens' seats and improvements ornament the 
views ; Mr. Mansfield's pretty and well improved 
seat; Mr. Grove's, Mr. Boyde's, and some others. 
The already described scope of potatoed, corned, 
and peopled country, with the intervention of Lough 
Swilly, extends itself towards Derry, and up and 
down the banks a great many miles, under the gene- 
ral names of Blanket-nook and Lag g an. Those two 
last districts, however, being part of the barony of 
Raphoe, do not belong to the mountain but to the 
champain region, which, after turning from 
Innishowen, and looking over, I shall be enabled to 
describe. But in the mean time, I may say of those 
parts of it, which I see, that the aspect is almost 
quite green, well peopled, cultivated, and productive. 

Derry and its liberties are about eight miles from 
Lough Swilly, over those two districts. Castlefor- 
ward intervenes, the seat of Mr. Forward ; it is well 
reclaimed and improved. A little farther forward, 
Mr. Law is draining, reclaiming, and enlarging a very 
good demesne ; there a few other gentlemens' seats. 
c Mr. 



IS STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. M' Clint ock is prettily seated within four miles 
of Derry. 

From hence one soon arrives into what is called 
the liberties of Derry, which town and those liberties 
(as mentioned in describing the limits of the county) 
were originally part, and naturally should be so, of 
the county of Donegal, because they are situate on 
the west of Lough Foyle, which is here the common 
and natural boundary between those two counties, 
except alone this patch, which had been allotted to 
English settlers. As it now, therefore, does not be- 
long to Donegal, I shall only observe en passant , 
that the town gradually rises round a small hill 
crowned with a handsome steeple and spire. The 
large wooden bridge, which connects this town with 
the rest of Derry, on the east of Lough Foyle, has 
a very fine effect, and highly improves the views, 
which on approaching Derry and departing from it 
are enchanting. 

North of Derry appeal's the barony of Innishowen, 
and many of its huge mountains. In proceeding in 
that direction, from Deny and its liberties, a wide 
skirt of well peopled country here slopes from the 
eastern side of the mountains to Lough Foyle ; a 
similar skirting of verdure and cultivation slopes from 
the west side of those mountains to Lough Swilly, 
including the little towns of Buncvanna and Fawn. 

On 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 19 

On the eastern skirting and declivity of those 
mountains, a ride of five or six miles leads the tra- 
veller into the mountains of Glentoher ; here is an 
expanse of about four thousand acres of moss and 
heath. 

In the midst of the blackest and wildest part of 
this glen, Mr. Henry Alexander has chosen the site 
of a mansion house and demesne ; the house is al- 
most finished. Already has he reclaimed into tillage 
and meadow three or four hundred acres, which have 
more than reimbursed his expenditure, He is pro- 
ceeding with an adventurous hand, on a scale, per- 
haps, superior to the attempts of anv other indivi- 
dual in the united kingdom, which, if persevered in 
and executed, must repay his exertions with honour 
and profit, together with the pleasing reflection of 
diffusing among the ignorant natives the spirit of 
industry and cultivation. For the purpose of en- 
creasing his supply of manure, Mr. Alexander has 
housed a number of bullocks and horses, which are 
fed with fine heath and and a little hay ; and is con- 
verting into the production of corn and green crops, 
as much as possible of this sable circuit of demesne. 
He is determined, in the course of three years, to 
change the lowering gloom of every prosneet frorn 
his house into a lively variety of trees, irrigating 
rivers, and all the charms of verdant pasturage and 
production. 

c 2 A ride 



20 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

A ride through Glentoher of half an hour brings 
in view, among the mountains, a widening dawn of 
some verdure and cultivation. At the remotest ex- 
tremity of Innishowen, extending east, west, and 
north, an arm of the sea, called Strabreagy, here 
interferes, which separates a portion of this extent 
into a distinct division, called Mawlin head. By 
some map-makers this is placed as far north as Fair- 
head in Antrim. According to the different views 
which I had of both, this promontory of Mawlin 
Head does not run as far north as Fair-head. 

Just south of Strabreagy, the Rev. Mr. Kennedy 
resides, a truly moral excellent man, and though on 
a small scale, he is the patron of agricultural and 
religious education. If merit is entitled to reward, 
the Marquis of Donegal has an opportunity in this 
good man, of distinguishing his patronage by his 
selection of it ; or some bishop, by his preferment, 
may justly boast of adding one to his usual acts of 
judicious discrimination. 

The ride from Captain Hervey of Mawlin-haH's 
handsome demesne, all the way to Green castle, on 
-Lough Foyle, shews very little skirting of green 
ground, and such as it is, poor and unprofitable, ex- 
cept Mr. Young's pretty and excellent demesne, 
which affords him beef and mutton of the first qua- 
lity, beside all the other usual necessaries. 

From 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 21 

From Green castle to Deny, on that side of Lough 
Foyle, the green fringe between the mountains and 
it is very narrow ; the soil, when well managed, 
is far from being unproductive ; it is of various co- 
lours, qualities, and substrations, generally a gravelly 
brown or tilly. 

In this line are met several gentlemens' seats ; 
none, whom the Dublin Society are more indebted to 
for every wish and exertion to promote their views, 
than the Rev. Mr. Gooldsberry's, nor myself for 
their personal civilities. 

But the principal part of the county, the most 
fertile, best inhabited and improved, is that part of 
the champain region contained in the barony of 
Raphoe, including Blanket-nook, Laggan, the pa- 
rishes and towns of Raphoe, Lifford, Stranorlan, and 
Donomore. This scope extends from the liberties of 
Derry and barony of Innishowen 2 to a little west of 
Ballybofe}^ comprehending sixteen or seventeen 
miles long by eight or nine broad. It is not a 
grazing country, but is thickly inhabited by 3^0- 
manry, artizans, chiefly weavers, and a few gentle- 
men ; and the soil tolerably good, for potatoes, oats, 
barley, flax, and in many parts, particularly along 
the Fin water, wheat, though not much cultivated. 

This tract has every way an improved rich look, 
between tillage and gentlemens' seats. 

Mr, 



22 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. Stuart of Tyrcallan, as a farmer and a 
planter, is entitled to particular notice ; much 
praise is due to him for his wish and exertions to 
promote in his neighbourhood, and among his 
tenants, the spirit of industry and suitable education. 

Mr. Mansfield of Killygordon has drained and 
improved a good deal on his very prettily situated 
demesne. 

Sir Samuel Hayes's beautiful seat of Dromboe- 
castle, on the Fin water, is very well improved. 

A junction formed between the eastern plantations, 
by gravel walks and shrubberies, on the banks of the 
river, and the western skirtings of the woods, would 
greatly enlarge and symmetrize the whole. 

The seat of Mr. Spence of Donomore, those of 
the Bishop and Dean of Raphoe, of Mr. Sinclair, 
Mr. Montgomery, and some others, ornament this, 
part of the county. 

Minerals. 

I have every where through the mountains and 
defiles of this county traced the indefatigable 
Mr. Donald Stuart ; a great part of the following 
discoveries have been made by him : 

In the manors of Burleigh and Orwell, the estate 
of Sir Samuel Hayes, Bart, are the following fossils : 

In the lands of Munavay, are two veins, near the 

lime 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 23 

lime kiln, which look like lead-mine ; the spar and 
ochre are visible. . 

Near this lime kiln, are great bodies of decom* 
posed limestone, excellent manure for the surround- 
ing moors. 

In the great mountain of Cart, near Letterkenny, 
are great bodies of this stone marie. 

There are immense bodies of- potter's and brick 
clays on the lands of Drumarda, on Lough Swilly ; 
a good slate quarry within one mile of Letterkenny, 
and half a mile of Lough Swilly, on the road side. 

On the. lands of Dromore, within a mile of Lough 
Swilly, there are strong indications of coal. 

On those wide extended tracts and mountains of 
Sir Samuel's, are scattered in many places abund- 
ance of limestone, limestone gravel, marles, and .man-* 
ganese. 

On Mr. Stuart of Ards's estates, the following dis- 
coveries have been made : 

Siliceous sand — On Muckish mountain, within 
four miles of two safe and deep harbours, namely, 
Sheephaven and Dunfanaghy ; it is there in inex- 
haustible abundance. It has for some time been 
sent to the Belfast glass manufactory. There is now 
in the bay of Ards a brig almost ready freighted 
with a cargo of it, for Mr. Edwards of Belfast, who 
has already proved and approved of it. He now 
imports none from England, and uses no other but 

this. 



24 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

this. William Brennan of Ards supplies it at the 
bay of Ards, for two guineas a ton. Next year, by 
means of roads, which are to be made, and a trough 
to run the sand from the top to the bottom of the 
mountain, he will be enabled to sell it at half that 
price. 

Lead ore — On the sea shore, at Ards, in two or 
three places, are clays of different colours and qua- 
lities. 

Soap rock — Is here in great quantities, but the 
trials made of its utility speak very little in its fa- 
vour ; here are also some indications of coal. 

Iron ore — On different parts of Muckish. 

Yellow pyrites — A large bank of it just north of 
the town of Ballyshannon. This is on Mr. Conolly's 
estate. 

Manganese — In two different places on the de- 
mesne of Mr. Hamilton of Lough-eask . 

Lead ore — Near Portnew, in Boylagh. 

Manganese — Near Dungloe church, on the shore. 

Lead ore — Is to be seen on the high mountain 
called Portnockan, parish of Enniskeel, Boylagh. 

The Islands of Rosses. 

In the island of Arranmore, is manganese, in the 
yellow park. 

Iron ore — In the same island. 

Manganese 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 25 

Manganese — In great quantities, in the island of 
Wye. 

Lead ore — Rich at Mullentyboyle in Glantice. It 
had been worked in the memory of some old people, 
by Sir Albert Conyngham, but was desisted from, 
owing to the influx into the pits of the Onea river, 
under whose level the pits happened to be ; there 
are other leadmines at Norin, Drumnacross, and one 
on the middle mountain. 

Iron ore— \n the bay of Inver, in a precipice over 
the sea. 

Iron ore — at Croy in Boylagh, appears in the 
broken face of the mountain. 

Lead ore — A large rich vein appears in the bank, 
over the west side of Cashelnagore river in Clogha- 
nealy. It crosses the bed of the river, and runs north- 
east, not known how far. It smelts easily in a com- 
mon turf fire, and is within three miles of the sea. 

Lead ore — A small vein on the demesne of 
Mr. Stuart of Hornhead, west a little of Mc< Swine's 
gun. 

Iron ore — On the lands of Tollobegley, in the 
parish of that name. It was found in large lumps, 
which I have seen, where raised by Mr. Johnston's 
men in making a road, quite near the surface ; but 
whether there are strata or not, how near or how 
thick, those people were not competent to explore. 

This 



26 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

This lies On good roads. If coal was discovered 
(which probably will on these mountains), this mine 
might prove very useful. 

Clays — Of different kinds and colours are in the 
island of Torrey ; of some of them the common 
people make pots, in which they boil potatoes or 
any thing else. 

In different other parts are different clays, marles, 
limestones, soap-rocks, earths, &c. 

Water. 

The principal lakes are Lough Fo}-le and Lough 
Swilly, although they should, more strictly speaking, 
be called (what they really are) wide branches of 
the sea, which advance into the country to meet the 
rivers, which give them those names ; they shall be 
more particularly treated under the head of Naviga- 
tion. The other lakes are Lough Eask, a very 
pretty one near Donegal, and Lough Derg, on which 
is the famous pilgrimage, of which in its own place. 

There is no other lake of any importance in any 
point of view, ornamental or useful. 

The principal rivers are the Fin and the Foyle, 
of which also under the head of Navigable rivers. 

Five or six small lakes in the Pettigo mountains 
communicate, and give rise to a small river, which 
runs through the estate of Mr. Atkinson into the 

sea 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 21 

sea, north of Ballyshannon. Another river of this 
sort, but larger, proceeds from the Pullins at 
Brownhall, and after passing through Ballintra 
and Mr. Knpx's estate, makes the sea on the shore 
of Murva. 

The Erne water belongs, for about three miles, to 
the county of Donegal, that is, from Belleek to Bal- 
lyshannon, where at meeting the sea it forms a beau- 
tiful cascade, and salmon leap \ of this more under 
Navigation, 

Several other rivers of no note, in their descent 
from that wide tract of mountain, which lies south 
and east of the champain part, between Ballyshan- 
non and Donegal, cross the road between those two 
towns, in hastening to the sea. 

As the mountain region commences at Killibegs, 
and accompanies the ocean all round those parts of 
the county, it would be nearly endless to enume- 
rate all the rivers, that have indented their traces on 
its face ; most of those indentures are dry in fair 
weather, but in times of rain and floods are not 
only full but overflown. The largest of those are 
Guidowr and Guibarrow, and are, of all the rest, the 
most remarkable for annoying those, who have the 
good fortune of travelling this region. 



AGRICULTURE. 



28 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



AGRICULTURE. 



Mode of culture. 



Between Ballyshannon and Leitrim, the mode of 
tillage is near the town with spades, and farther up 
near Lough Melvyn, the long Leitrim loy. 

The potatoes near the town, in planting them, are 
laid on the grass or dung, and then covered in with 
mould. But in the stiff soil of Lough Melvyn, the 
potatoes are dibbled with a Leitrim steveen, or kibbed> 
as they here call it, with a kibbin ; of those imple- 
ments in their own place. Spade and loy labour 
they all find more productive than ploughing, of 
which in this corner there is very little. 

North of Ballyshannon to Donegal, various circum- 
stances induce various modes of culture ; in all the 
grounds, which are neither quite too steep nor stony, 
the common two-horse plough is used to prepare land 
for grain, and sometimes for potatoes, the weight or 
tenacity of the soil seldom requiring a third horse ; 
but as a great part of the surface from Ballyshannon 
to Ballintra is very stony and rocky, the use of the 
plough is prevented, and recourse is had to the spade 

culture 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 29 

culture. In other parts, southwest of the town of 
Donegal, extending six or seven miles along the 
sea, some of the hills are too high for ploughing, and 
here also the spade is resorted to ; yet it is astonish- 
ing to see, how high some of those hills are, against 
which one sees two horses struggling to drag a 
plough. 

In some parts between Ballyshannon and Ballin- 
tra, a very bad practice obtains, of ploughing 
lea ground for oats, after having rested 7 or 8 years; 
they get two crops, then let it rest again, and so 
on. 

In Boylagh and Bannagh, the labour is mostly 
done with the spade, which they find in common 
with all others to be more productive than the 
plough ; the potatoe-cuts are generally laid on the 
manure, and then covered in, but sometimes dibbled 
with a spade, which is here called kibbing. 

All along the coast of the mountain region, 
through Rosses, the little tillage one sees is done with 
the spade, and in the district in that line towards Let- 
terkenny, called Cloghanealy ; when the mountains 
shew cultivable spots, the two-horse Irish plough is 
the mode. 

Every species of drill, and English ploughing and 
husbandry, is practised at Ards extensively. In 
Rossgul the country is either so mountainous or 
rocky, the spade is mostly used, but sometimes the 
plough. 

But 



SO STATISTICAL SURVEY 

But the remaining part of even the mountain re- 
gion, that is, the greatest part of the barony of 
Kilmacrennan, and the two great points, Fanad and 
Inishowen, in the wide cultivable interstices admit 
the plough, but in the deep and stony parts the 
loy is used. 

Mr. Alexander's mode of cultivating his black de- 
mesne of Glentoher, is with sharp metal ploughs 
drawn each by four oxen. 

It is painful to behold the labour, with which those 
creatures perform the work ; but the quantity of 
rank, heathy, wet, uneven mountain, which one 
team ploughs in a day, is incredible. 

In the champain part of the county, chiefly 
consisting of the barony of Raphoe, including all 
the scope from Lough Swilly, and the river of that 
name, to the counties of Derry and T}Tone, and up 
along the Fin-water, the plough is in general use. 
But near Barnesmore, Raphoe side, and Glanfyn, 
are miserable countries, mostly refusing the plough, 
and even to the loy the price of its labour, unless 
a little on that part of the banks of the Fin. 

The experiments of Mr. Wynn Baker of Wynns- 
field, approved by Mr. Hamilton, determine, in 
planting potatoes, a great advantage in laying them 
over, rather than under the dung;. 

Extent 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 31 



Extent of it, and of each species of grain soiced. 

From Ballyshannon to Donegal and Killybeggs, 
the farms being small and only adapted merely to 
the consumption of the tenants, the extent is not 
considerable, except in barley, which they either 
sell to the brewers, or distil into whiskey ; any little 
surplus they may have of oaten meal, is sold at the 
market of Ballyshannon. 

In Boylagh and Bannagh, the extent is merely 
for their own use, and often not sufficient, being 
frequently obliged to resort to their neighbours, at 
some distance, to supply their wants in potatoes and 
grain ; not so very often however in potatoes. 

The barley, in spite of every apprehension of want, 
is always consigned to distillation, which they cheer- 
fully consume in whiskey. 

AJl\ through Rosses, along the coast by Dan- 
fanaghy, indeed all through the mountain region, 
Kilmacrennan, Rossgul, Fanad, and Innishowen, po- 
tatoes and barley are the principal crops; and flax 
is every day- getting more and more into extent, 
even among the Glantice mountains, where Lord 
Conyngham and Mr. Mansfield are using every ex- 
ertion, to substitute the culture and manufacture of 
flax to the culture and distillation of barley, and to 

its 



32 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

its consequent very great degree of intoxication, 
immorality, and idleness. 

In Innishowen, the extent of barley culture bears 
a proportion of one eighth part to the other tillage, 
which is every grain converted into whiskey and 
provision for the rent, paying no duty. But in all 
those parts, oats is commonly grown in a sufficient 
quantity for the use of the country. 

The champain region, including Laggan, Blanket- 
nook, and along the Fin-water, is quite a tillage and 
manufacturing country, beside an abundance of po- 
tatoes, oats, and barley ; flax is grown here and 
manufactured to a very considerable extent. 

Course of Crops. 

From Donegal to Bally shannon, the common course 
is, 1. potatoes manured with sea weeds ; 2. barley ; 
3. oats. When dung is used as manure, an addi- 
tional crop or two of oats is obtained. 

In Boylagh and Bannagh — 1. potatoes; 2. oats, 
or on the sea coast barley ; 3. flax, or sometimes but 
rarely oats : all along the coast through Rosses, the 
only rotation is, 1. potatoes ; 2. barley. 

In Dunfanaghy — 1. potatoes ; 2. barley; 3. oats; 
then after a ploughing or two, 4. flax. 

Many of the farms here produce no barley, and 
most of those, which do, will give but one crop after 
potatoes. 

Some 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 33 

Some of the lands here, exhausted by the common 
course of crops, will not only produce a crop of 
peas, but by so doing enrich the soil so as to be re- 
productive of oats. 

Sea-weeds spread early in winter on grass-lands, 
and in time of planting potatoes, covered over with 
wispy, dry dung, will not only produce a good crop 
of potatoes, and the usual succession, but the po- 
tatoes will by this management be perfectly dry and 
well flavoured. 

In Doe — A little district of this part of the moun- 
tain region, 1. potatoes, 2. barley, 3. flax, 4. oats. 
The same soil, again manured with dung and sea- 
weed, will produce the same rotation, and so on. 
Mr. Stewart of Ards's common succession is, 1 . po- 
tatoes, 2. barley or wheat, 3. oats and clover, 4. 
clover, 5. clover, 6. oats or turnips, 7. carrots. 

Rossgul — 1. potatoes, 2. barley, 3. oats, 4. flax, 
5. oats. 

Fanad — 1. potatoes, 2. barley, 3 oats, 4. flax, 5. 
oats, 6. peas, 7. oats, 
Innishowen — 1. potatoes, 2. barley, 3. oats, 4. flax, 
5. oats. The very best soils of this barony will, in 
addition to the above course, often produce two or 
three crops of oats. 

Raphoe barony — 1 . potatoes, 2. barley, sometimes 
3. barley, 4. oats, 5. flax, 6. oats, and then, either 
let the soil rest, or by manuring again recommence 

D the 



34 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the same round of crops. Messrs. Stewart of Ards, 
and of Tyrcallan, are endeavouring by example to in- 
troduce the practice of alternate green crops, and 
house-feeding. 

The little nook called Glanfyn, between the 
mountains, is indeed a wretched country. Two 
abortive crops are their only course, 1. potatoes, 2. 
oats, their soil refusing totally both barley and flax. 
Their own oats never answer for seed j they must 
get it from the Laggan. 

In the course of my observations in the counties 
I have looked over, I have been on all occasions se- 
dulous to impress the incredible benefits arising from 
an alternate rotation of green and grain crops, and 
their reciprocal influence on each other. But in one 
of those counties a certain gentleman, whom I es- 
teem very much, and who has considerable influence 
in two farming societies, has put his face directly 
against the introduction of green crops, because they 
interfered, he thought, with the culture of potatoes ; 
and any thing to check them, as the staple support 
of Ireland, he would not countenance." Being a 
very bad speaker, it became impossible for me to 
satisfy him ; I know he will read this report, and, if 
doing so, may change his opinion ; it will give me 
much pleasure, as I know it will benefit the societies 
he belongs to, and their general objects. 

Conformable 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 35 

Conformable to the established experience and 
practice of England and Scotland, our ingenious 
countryman, Mr. Hamilton, has written two essays 
on that subject under the approbation of the Farming 
Society of Ireland, to which he is secretary.. 

But why say the practice of England and Scot- 
land ? It has been the practice of remote ages and 
countries to change crops. Virgil tells us in the 
first book, v. 82, of his much admired, though imper- 
fect system of husbandry. 



Sic quoque mutatis requiescunt setibus arva." 



As well from duty as inclination, I have consulted 
not only Virgir, and other ancient, but most of the 
modern farmers on this important subject , but I find 
all, particularly on this subject, condensed and im- 
proved in those excellent essays of Mr. Hamilton. 
One of them is entitled, " An essay on the subservi- 
ency of improved agriculture, to the proper feeding 
of stock, and the mutual support they may derive 
from each other." 

His other essay on the course of crops is entitled, 
" Sketch of a farm." 

The first essay is in a separate small pamplet, the 
second in page 22, of the first number of the Irish 
Agricultural Magazine ; a work, which no farmer 
should want, because every thing in husbandry, ei- 
ther useful or new, is collected from the best farmers 
d 2 " and 



36 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and writers on it into this publication, and judiciously 
compressed within very little reading or trouble to 
acquire a knowledge of, beside several original 
papers by the author, all for one shilling each num- 
ber, to be had of all the booksellers. 

But to satisfy this sceptical gentleman, or any other 
person, who could suppose the cultivation of green 
crops to interfere with that of potatoes, it is only ne- 
cessary to remind him of the excellent practice, which 
every year even in Ireland is gaining ground. 

B}' this practice, sowing rape-seed from the middle 
of May to the end of June will furnish plants in suc- 
cession, to occupy potatoe ground, as the potatoes are 
occasionally taken up, from the commencement to 
the end of autumn : and the same persons, who dig 
out the potatoes, may bring with them to the field a 
few rape plants, to put into the ground the potatoes 
had been taken from. 

In the spring the rape is cut down, and given to 
cattle in the house, at a time, that cannot interfere 
with any spring crop ; thus a second crop is obtained 
off the same field within one year, which is said to 
be of an enriching quality to the soil; it gives an 
ample supply of fodder, and enlarges the dunghill so 
as to repay at least two-fold any exhaustion it caused 
to the soil. 

Rape beside is not only excellent food for cattle, 
but very good greens for the poor man's table, and 

being 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 37 

being of an oily nature is peculiarly adapted to enter 
a compound, which the poor of Ireland make of po- 
tatoes, cabbage, onions, &c. called kalecannan. 

For the purpose of making room for the early- 
planting of rape, early potatoes should be cultured, 
and no more of the apple potatoe than is barely suf- 
ficient for the summer months; this would be one- 
fourth of the potatoe garden, and no more. 

Winter vetches too may come in after early pota- 
toes, and in poor soils rye, 

Mr. Hamilton's Essays are on this subject so ex- 
tremely appropriate, I am impelled to give a few 
extracts from them; we read in his Essay on the 
subserviency, &c. page 1. "As the improvement of 
stock entirely depends upon an ample and regular 
supply of nutritious food throughout the year, to be 
procured only through the means of agriculture ; and 
as successful agriculture on the other hand depends 
upon stock producing the manure necessary for fer- 
tilizing the soil, it must be an important enquiry to 
examine into their mutual dependance, and to trace 
out the methods, by which they may respectively sup- 
port each other." 

Mr. Hamilton then, after demonstrating the modes, 
by which vegetables meliorate the soil, proceeds: 

" Green crops being thus found to be necessary 
towards duly meliorating the soil for the immediate 
reception of grain, the cultivation of each in alter- 
nate 



38 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

nate order is a happy improvement in modern hus- 
bandry," &c. And in page 2. 

" A judicious cultivation of the respective green 
crops adapted to the several seasons, will furnish an 
abundant supply of nutritious food for the support of 
a numerous stock, to answer for the different periods 
of the year. Stock thus amply maintained and pro- 
perly housed, beside a rapid and valuable improve- 
ment, will also yield a profusion of the best manure, 
which will highly fertilize above double the extent, 
that had been previously manured for raising these 
green crops. By reflecting on this momentous sub- 
ject it will be found, that upon the computation, that 
the manure gained from productive green crops oif 
one acre, in the course of tillage, will richly fertilize 
two acres, those in the following year will manure 
four acres, and again eight acres in like manner. In 
the course of the rotation, depending on the quantity 
of ground so manured, will the stock, and also the 
crops of grain increase nearly in the same pro- 
portion." 

" Grain in cultivation, succeeding green crop?, 
finds the soil in that apt and mellow condition pecu- 
liarly suited to its immediate reception, so as to en- 
sure by well timed sowings an abundant and early 
est. A productive crop not only of itself amply 
axis the husbandman, but when early removed 
"es him immediately to introduce another appro- 
priate 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 39 

priate to the season, at a time when vegetation is still 
powerful," &c. 

" Stock, when allowed to pasture at large on clo- 
ver, rape, and such luxuriant crops, commit so much 
waste by trampling and otherwise damaging them, 
that the conveyance of food from the field to housed 
stock is peculiarly economical, as in this mode these 
crops will feed at least thrice the number of stock by 
being thus consumed without waste ; but among va- 
rious evident advantages, the most essential of all is, 
the opportunity of collecting the manure of the stock 
(which would otherwise be scattered and lost) for the 
dung-heap, on the augmentation and judicious ma- 
nagement of which the prosperity of all, and each of 
the benefits arising from improved husbandry imme- 
diately depends; for upon the abundance of manure 
the success of every branch of husbandry rests." 

In Mr. Hamilton's Sketch of a Farm are the fol- 
lowing observations, among many others of the most 
material importance, as well on this subject, as on all 
the others in agriculture, which he treats, page 22. 

" On the question, whether fallows or green crops 
are the most advantageous preparation for the culture 
of grain, the animated correspondence of Mr. Fiske 
and his numerous opponents, as published in the 
Annals, vols. III. IV. V. VI. &c. give much useful 
and interesting information. The result of this con- 
troversy seems decidedly to have proved the superio- 
rity 



40 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

rityof the green crops, which, if kept accurately clean, 
produce all the advantages, that could be expected 
from actual fallows, with a valuable addition of a sup- 
ply of the best food, while they leave the land more 
fit for the reception of corn crops. Till an improve- 
ment so economical and beneficial shall be adopted in 
this country, the Irish farmer will in vain look for a 
return from his land adequate to his expense and 
labour." Here Mr. H. cites an observation of Mr. 
Fiske's, who according to him says, " Let the man, 
who would farm in the best manner for profit, never 
suffer two exhausting crops (wheat, barley, Kc.J to 
follow one another; let him avoid fallowing, for in 
my opinion the more the land is ploughed in summer, 
the more the vegetative food is exhausted.'''' Mr. Ha- 
milton further adds, in a note, Mr. Young's opinion of 
Mr. Fiske's doctrine, who observes in his Annals, III. 
49, " Mr. Fiske has not practised husbandry in a 
blind routine, without thought or reflection : this ob- 
servation manifests a deep attention; it is perfectly 
just." 

Mr. Hamilton then proceeds to the management of 
a farm containing one hundred acres, which treatise 
he divides into four parts : 1 . The disposition and di- 
vision of the lands; 2. The management of the tillage 
part; 3. The management of the pasture division; 
and lastly, the feeding of stock. From the manage- 
ment of the tillage part I shall make an extract: a 

rivulet 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 41 

rivulet is to divide the farm into nearly two equal 
parts, 49 acres of which shall be for tillage, and 
divided into four parts of 12-§ acres each ; then as to 
the succession of crops Mr. H. says, p. 25. 

" Each division of this, in the first year of its culti- 
vation, is to be subdivided into four parts, each of 
three acres, exclusive of headlands, which are to pro- 
duce respectively potatoes, cabbage, borecole, and 
turnips ; the potatoes and cabbages to be succeeded 
by a crop of rape, and in the three following years to 
undergo the process of barley, clover, and wheat, 
with aftercrops of rape, rye, and winter vetches." 

" But the four divisions are all to produce different 
crops in ihe same year ; for instance, one division shall 
he under green crops, while a second is under barley, 
a third under clover, &(c. The division, which is under 
green crops in the first year of the process, shall be 
manured by the dung collected from the sheep yard 
arid the other stock" 

Mr. Hamilton further proceeds with equal judg- 
ment, accuracy, and minuteness, but dilates beyond 
such limits as could here be introduced; nor is its 
introduction necessary, as the original work may so 
easily be procured, and that the items already cited 
should be a sufficient inducement to every farmer to 
read himself the book of nature, and fill his haggard 
and his purse, by a well-timed judicious course of 
crops. 

Use 



42 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Use of Oxen — how harnessed. 

Mr. Atkinson works oxen harnessed like horses, 
with this exception, that in the septum narium, or 
partition which divides the nostrils, he introduces an 
iron ring', to which a chord is fastened, by which they 
lead and work with the help of a collar even the first 
day of training, as if used for years. Mr. Stewart, of 
Ards, uses them for all works. Sir James Stuart did 
work them more than at present, and finds their 
slowness in working deterred others, as well as him- 
self, from a more general use of them. Mr. Alexander 
uses a great number of them, chiefly in ploughing up 
his mountains, and some others use them; all har- 
nessed like horses. 

Ndture and Use of Implements of Husbandry. 

» 

The common plough, in all parts of the county 
where it can be worked, and die spade, shovel, and 
harrow, are the usual tillage implements. 

The only unusual implements in use, and that only 
in the southern part of the county, are two, the long 
loy 9 and the sieveen. 

In the clayey stiff parts adjoining Leitrim, this loy 
is used, and is admirably adapted to the necessity for 
it. It is a long narrow spade, having room for only 
one foot to work on, with a long handle: this spade is 

adapted 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 43 

adapted to cutting 'a long narrow sod. After the sod 
is cut, and the loy pushed under it, the workman's 
right foot is then placed under the neck of the loy, 
as a fulcrum, while the long handle answers as a lever 
to jerk off the sod right or left. 

The steveen, which is here called a kibbin, is a 
wooden pole about four feet long, pointed at the lower 
extremity, within about six inches of which a resting 
place is made for the foot, to push it into the potatoe 
ridge ; into the hole thus made the potatoe-cut is let 
fall, then the friable mould, and so on. The ploughs 
and harrows are still capable of much improvement. 

Here are the pitchfork, grape, drag, pickax ; the 
grape is a three pronged fork for collecting dung and 
rubbish, for filling and spreading it. 

The drag is a long grape, curved so as to drag up 
cut sods out of drains made in bogs and marshy bot- 
toms. 

Any other instruments are too common, and too 
well known to require description. 

Markets for Grain. 

The only markets for grain in all the mountain 
region are the private distilleries, whither the com- 
mon tenantry convey all their barley for sale: any 
redundancy of oats, or oaten-meal, is sold at Derry, 
Raphoe, Lifford, Donegal, and Ballyshannon, and 
sometimes at those markets a little barley. 

Use 



44 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Use of green Food in Winter. 
None ; except at Mr. Stuart's of Ards. 

Pasture. 

All over the mountain region very bad indeed, 
with no very great exception even among the val- 
lies, though many of them extremely good for til- 
lage. 

The cattle feeding for twelve months on those 
mountains, or most of the coarse farms, are seized 
with a disorder here called the cruppan, which is most 
probably a corruption of the word cripple; for the 
cattle do become crippled, as if by rheumatic pains ; 
in a more advanced and aggravated state of the dis- 
order they are totally deprived of the use of their 
limbs ; the hair on the back stares ; it becomes a fa- 
vourite resort of the flies ; at length an atrophy suc- 
ceeds, and death. 

This disorder, however, is cured by removing the 
cattle to sweet soils, even sometimes to soils seem- 
ingly of the same quality as that which produced it. 
If, however, the cattle should remain a year on this 
very soil, which cures the cruppan, it induces another 
not inferior in malignity, called the galar. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 45 

The galar is a bloody urine ; the milk becomes thin 
and watery, and the hair stares ; to this succeeds a lax 
and death. 

This disorder by a timely removal to the soil 
which originally produced the cruppan, is cured, 
and so on reciprocally. 

Cattle, which die of the galar, when opened are 

found to have the gall-bladder enlarged, and skin 

black. It would seem then, that the galar is a jaundice. 

Sheep are subject to the galar, as well as cows, but 

not horses. 

The grasses and rushes growing on the soils pro- 
ducing the cruppan, I have sent specimens of to the 
Dublin Society, with the names, by which they are 
known in this country, written on each specimen; 
they were five or six in number : the names, as well 
as I recollect, are keebdu, keebroe, finternagh, fere- 
Jiay keeb-canagh, and tarrant-er-eigia. There are 
one or two more grasses, which grow in those crup- 
pany regions, but vanish with the summer, and those, 
the summer having elapsed before I reached there, it 
failed me to procure specimens of. 

The keebdu, from November till March, is the 
chief food of the outlying cattle, its succulent roots 
they delight in, and in summer the keebroe and fin- 
ternach. 

Those grasses, 'tis true, and rushes, grow on soils 
not productive of those disorders; but then other 

grasses 



46 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

grasses and herbs grow also, which probably serve as 
antidotes against their ill effects. 

Cure. — An avenue perhaps to a cure may open by 
the following observations. 

It has been observed, that cattle occasionally fed 
upon cabbages keep longer free of those disorders. 

Cattle feeding on those hard pastures and sour soils 
are seen eager to eat pieces of wood, rotten bones, 
stones, particularly limestone, and alkaline sub- 
stances. 

Sea-wrack cut small and mixed with potatoes, by 
way of inducement to cattle to eat the wrack, had 
been known to cure and fatten cattle seized with this 
disorder. 

Thus nature seems clearly to indicate the method 
of cure ; the automatic efforts or instinct of the ani- 
mal y and the fortuitous benefit arising from the sea- 
wrack and cabbages, here, as in very many instances, 
which improved the healing art, guided the industry 
of man to relieve them. 

To this may be added, the certainty of a sourness 
in the soil, a predominant ascendancy of the gallic 
acid, to which alkalis are obviousty the antidote. 

In the mean time, therefore, until a more rational 
or a better method of cure shall be advised b}- the 
Veterinary College, I shall undertake strongly to re- 
commend for the cruppany cattle the use of cabbages 
and sea-wrack. The sea-wrack could easily be sup- 
plied 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 47 

plied by the children of every family, as but very 
few parts of the mountain region, that are not con- 
tiguous enough for tbat purpose to the sea. 

From the highly putrescent disposition of water, in 
which cabbage had been boiled, it seems to have 
assumed and exalted the alkali of the cabbage; I 
therefore recommend it as the best drink in this dis- 
order, or water strongly whitened with chalk. 

But the true, the radical cure, indisputably exists 
in sweetening the soil by paring and burning, manu- 
facturing and using the great ledge of limestone rock, 
that runs through all this region. 

The pasture of the champain parts is neither fit 
nor used for fattening, except in a very few instances. 
On Sir Samuel Hayes's demesne I saw some small 
cows as fat as possible, on Mr. Young's, and some 
others ; but in general the pasture is only fit for sheep 
and light and young cattle, and is applied only to 
grazing such, and milch cows, as this is a labouring, 
tillage, and manufacturing country. 

Breed of Cattle, how far improved — how far capable 
of further Improvement. 

In the mountain region the breed is not much im- 
proved, as the soil is barren and sour; but I should 
suppose it capable of some improvement in choosing 

bulls 



49 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

bulls and cows of a good shape, though small and 
suited to the soil. 

But although neither breeding nor grazing is the 
forte of this county, I deem it right on this subject to 
mention (en passant) that what is called breeding in 
and in, that is within the same family, is for a thou- 
sand reasons an absurdity, which is pretty sufficiently 
shewn in my Report of Leitrim, where the matter be- 
came a subject of some discussion; but that selecting 
cattle of the most improved points, whether in or out 
of the same family, for bringing good young, is the 
rational, the approved system. 

In the champain parts the cattle are of somewhat a 
superior description ; although I cannot say, that either 
pains in improving the breed, or the quality of the 
pasture, contributes to any superior degree of perfec- 
tion, or that the nature of the soil seems to invite the 
attempt, yet I conceive, that chusing and selecting 
the eligible points, in males and females of small cat- 
tie for home consumption, would both amuse and 
amply repay the trouble of the gentry here, not only 
in the additional luxury of the table, but also in pro- 
pagating a well-formed easy-fatted breed among their 
tenantries. 

Markets or Fairs from them, 

January l. Letterkenny. 

. Redcastle. 

January 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 49 

January 4. Castlefin. 

12. Aughygaults. 

February 1 . Ballintra. 

Cloghanbegg. 

■ Convoy. 

Tullyodonald. 

6. Dunkanally. 

March 3. Killygordon. 

17. Mountcharles. 

20. Aughygaults. 

23. Rathmelton. 

25. Ballintra. 

29. Stranorlane. 

April 5. Ballyshannon. 

7. St. Johnstown. 

19. Castlefin. 

: Killibeggs. 

20. Mawlin. 

May l. Raphoe. 

4. Muff. 

Oldtown. 



10. Buncranna. 

11. Church-hill. 

12. Letterkenny, cattle. 
Port. 



15. Aughygaults. 
Ardera. 



17. Convoy. 

E 



May 



so STATISTICAL SURVEY 

May 17. Fintown. 

. Tullyodonald. 

— 19. Cloghanbegg. 

■ 20. Ball intra. 

21. Ballybofey. 

Carndonagh, yarn, cattle, 



25. Rathmelton. 

31. Killygordon. 

June 1. Redcastle. 

_ . 2. Maghremore. 

. 7. Castlefin. 

— 8. Bally shannon. 

Oldtown. 

9. Mountcharles. 

— 10. Bunfanaghy. 

- 12. Ballynass. 

. 21. Carrigart. 

__ Convoy. 

- — Tullyodonald. 



_-, 22. Raphoe. 

_ 24. Mawlin. 

July 1. Dunkanally. 

__ 3. Fintown. 

— 6. Stranorlane. 

- Manorcunningham. 



-12. Letterkenny. 
-17. Rathmelton. 
- 20. Aughygaults. 



July 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 51 

July 26. Pettigoe. 

27. Buncranna. 

31. Ballintra. 

Old town. 

August 2. Ardera. 

> Convoy. 

Mawlin. 

— Tullyodonald. 

3- St. Johnston's-bridge. 

• 5. Dunfanaghy. 

— 9. Castlefin. 

12. Redcastle, cattle* frize. 

Stranorlane. 

13. Letterkenny. 

16. Church-hill. 

21. Carndonagh, yarn, cattle. 

Ramullon. 

24. Ballynass. 

25. Cloghanbegg. 

26. Port. 

27. Raphoe. 

3 1 . Killygordon. 

September 3. Fintown. 

18. Ballyshannon. 

22. Mountcharles. 

29. Aughygaults. 

October 2. Ballintra. 

— — Dunfanaghy. 

i 2 October 



52 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

October 4. Castlefin. 

, 5. Rathmelton. 

1 u Stranorlane. 

13. St. Johnston's. 

16. Dunkanally. 

20. Ballynass. 

— Oldtown. 



— 25. Muff. 

— 26. Convoy. 

29. Newtown Cunningham. 






November 1. Ardera. 

_ j. — Aughygaults. 

. Carrigart. 

Mawlin. 

- 3. Convoy. 

_ Fintown. 

_ Tullyodoriald. 

4. Raphoe. 

_ 5. Port. 

8. Church-hill. 

- — Letterkenny. 

12. Killiheggs. 

, ___ — Redcastle. 

, - i6. Ballyshannon. 

_. — Rathmelton. 

t 17. Dunfanaghy. 

18. Mountcharles. 

19. Cloghanbegg. 






November 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 53 

November 22. Carndonagh, yarn, cattle. 

*-. — - — Castlefin. 

* — Ramullon, 

. 25. St. Johnstown. 

. 29. Donegal town 

30. Ballintra. 

, — Ballinass. 



December 1. Killygordon. 

2, Convoy. 

— — Tnllyodonald. 

-■ — 9. Stranorlane. 

11. Muff. 

14. Rathmelton. 

i — — 15. Port. 

■ 22. Ardera. 

24. Ballybofey. 

Those are the markets and fairs according to Stew- 
art's almanack. 

The fair of Glantice I don't find in the almanack, 
but find it noted in my report as the best fair in the 
county for neat cattle. 

General Prices. 

In the mountain region, the common price of 
milch and fat cows from four to seven and eight gui- 
neas, dry cows from two to five guineas, and other 
cattle in proportion. 

In 



54 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

In the champain parts, milch and beef cows from 
five to ten guineas, yearling calves from ten to thirty 
shillings, and so on. 

Modes of Feeding — how far housed in Winter. 

Mr. Stewart, of Ards, feeds cattle and horses, and 
so do Mr. Stewart of Tyrcallen, Mr. Alexander, and 
some few others, with turnips, potatoes, and clovers, 
with the usual interposition of hay, cut straw, &c~ 
Mr. Stewart, of Ards, beside all those, feeds a great 
deal with carrots. 

But the general mode of feeding is with grass in 
summer, and hay and straw in winter. All through 
this county the cattle are housed during the winter 
months ; in the mountain region not only during the 
winter, but in summer too very much, for the double 
purpose of collecting the manure and avoiding the 
cruppan, which the people fancy the cattle are more 
subject to by feeding abroad at large than confined 
in the house. 

Natural Grasses. 

As the natural division of this county is into two 
regions, the mountain and champain, so also the 
native grasses are those peculiar to such soils. 

In the champain region are most of the native 

good grasses, the sweet-scented meadow grass and 

a few others excepted . 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 55 

In the mountain region, beside all the rush, heath , 
and moor grasses, all the bent, hair, and aquatics, 
&c. &c. some grasses and rushes occurred, which 
called for particular attention, and therefore under 
head of pasture had been treated of at large ; and 
here I shall only subjoin an attempt at ascertaining the 
botanical names of those vegetables. As the speci- 
mens, however, are to remain in the possession of the 
Dublin Society, they will turn every matter relative 
to them to the best account. 

Keebduh — is the schcenus nigricanus, black bog- 
rush. 

Keebroe — is most probably the scaly-stalked club- 
rush. 

Fer-fia — is the Lancashire asphodel. 

Finternach — is the purple melic-grass. 

Tarrint er eigin. — This, as it wants the flower, 
cannot be ascertained, but seems to be one of the 
varieties of the carix family. 

There is, however, one grass more deserving par- 
ticular notice ; it grows on the shore of Innisfree, one 
of the islands of Rutland, twelve feet under tide- 
mark of spring tides; it is called sweet grass, and 
grows to a length of from two to three yards, and 
about the breadth of a compressed wheaten straw. 

The name is very applicable, for it is very sweet, 
with a saltish mixture, the sweet by fat predomi- 
nating, particularly in the root. 

At 



56 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

At the lowest ebb of spring tides, which parti- 
cular point of time they attend to, the cattle run 
instinctively from the mountains and gorge upon 
this luxury, and do so regularly as often as the 
recess of the sea- water developes the feast. 

The days being very short during my stay at 
Rosses, and the ebbing of the tide not answering, 
when I could have got a specimen of it, prevented 
my being able to procure any. It seems to deserve 
pursuit, as possibly all the beach of Ireland might 
. after some time prove a luxuriant herbage. 

Mode of hay-making. 

From Donegal to Ballyshannon, the hay is shaken 
immediately from the swarth, turned and made into 
grass or lapcocks ; here they remain for six or 
seven days as the weather answers, and then into 
trampcocks. 

Along the Fin-water and all the other champain 
parts, hay is shaken from the scythe next day, after 
a turn or two into lapcocks ; in a couple of days af- 
terwards shaken out and put into handcocks ; and 
then after two or three days into trampcocks. 

Nearly in the same manner is hay treated in the 
interstices of the mountain region, that are green. 

Dairies, their produce. — None. 

Prices 






OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 57 



Prices of hides , tallow, wool, and quantity sold. 

This being a manufacturing agricultural county, 
hides, tallow, and wool, are only proportionable to 
the consumption of the county ; the quantity sold, 
of consequence very small, and prices as through 
most other parts of the kingdom. 

Farms. — Their size. 

In the champain parts from ten to fifty acres ; in 
the mountain region, from 40 to 500 including an- 
nexed tracts of mountain. 

All the farms lately let to tenants have been to se- 
parate individuals ; and the tenants themselves have 
found the vast benefit of separate holdings, and are 
themselves subdividing many of the old takes. 

Sir Samuel Hayes, in the manors of Burleigh and 
Orwell, previously divides and then lets to sepa- 
rate tenants ; all ranks are now clear of the advan- 
tages arising from separate tenures, and are all en- 
gaged in endeavouring to establish them. 

Farmhouses and offices. 

By those houses, as the habitations of the poor 
are enquired after in another place, I understand 

the 



5S STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the residence of the inferior yeomanry, and of them 
it may be said over all the regions, mountain and 
champain, that they are comfortable and snug ; 
cleanliness about the doors, and in the situation and 
economy of their dunghills, seems to be among 
those the greatest want. 

Whether repaired by landlord or tenant. 
Always by the tenant. 

Nature of tenures, general state of leases, of par- 
ticular clauses therein. 

All those particulars, nearly the same as through- 
out the other parts of Ireland ; the leases being for 
years, lives, or renewable for ever. 

The clauses too are the usual ones, none particu- 
lar, except against alienation ; and sometimes but 
seldom an allowance for reclaiming bog and moun- 
tain. 

Taxes or cesses paid by tenants. 

Quit and crown rents are generally paid by the 
landlords ; all the county and parish cesses by the 
tenants, 

Proportion 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 59 



Proportion of xvorking horses or bullocks to the size 
of farms. 

As to the proportion of bullocks, it need not be 
spoken of, as they are worked only by a few gen- 
tlemen ; the proportion of horses in the champain 
and arable parts of the mountain region, may be 
about one horse to every seven or eight acres. 

General size of fields or enclosures. 

It is impossible to ascertain any thing fixed as to 
their size ; this county being a tillage country, and 
in the occupancy of small tenantry, the fields ex- 
tend from one to ten or twelve acres, in propor- 
tion as the farms are more or less in partnership. 

Nature offences. 

In the mountain region the fences are very bad, 
small turf ditches, and of those very few ; as either 
a person stands out to watch the cattle from da- 
mage, or the cattle are tied by ropes to some of the 
legs, so as to be able to range about a certain peri- 
phery, but to prevent their reaching the potatoe or 
corn sowings ; the care also, that the common peo- 
ple take in keeping their cattle in the house, to pre- 
vent 



60 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

rent the cruppan and collect manure, renders fences- 
less necessary. 

Even in the champain parts, unless on gentlemens' 
seats, the fences are very mean clay ditches, or 
loose stone walls. 

Mode of hedgerows or keeping hedges. 

In the whole county none, except about gentle- 
mens' houses ; with them the mode is planting a 
double row of hawthorn, and sometimes a mixture 
of crabtree quick in the face of the ditches. 

Mode of draining, 

In this county common open surface draining is 
the only practice. 

Nature of manures. 

From Donegal to Ballyshannon and Killybegs, 
sea- weed, shelly sand, and dung are the manures ; 
and although this tract abounds with limestone and 
lime-gravel, very little if any use is made of them. 

All through the immense mountain region of this 
county, paring, burning, and liming are neglected, 
sea-wrack and a scanty supply of dung are their 
only manures. 

Mr, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL 61 

Mr. Stewart, of Ards, uses dung and composts of 
lime and scouring of ditches ; sometimes lime;, and 
till for reclaiming mountain, which it does with ad- 
mirable effect, and in great quantities; and this 
practice begins to diffuse itself among the poor na- 
tives of his district. 

In the champain parts limestone is in few places 
very inconvenient, but the use of it is in very little 
practice. Mr. Stewart, of Tyrcallan, not only uses 
it himself in great quantities, but in order to bring 
his tenantry into the use of it, has it sold to them, 
manufactured into lime, at a small price. 

The Rev. Mr. Kennedy uses lime judiciously in 
reclaiming bog, and his exertions have induced 
numbers of the country people to follow his ex- 
ample, who were before strangers to the use of it. 

But irrigation is here become very general, so 
much so, that a resolution has been entered (I have 
heard) on the books of the Raphoe Farming Society, 
that a Scotch gentleman, whom they have got, shall 
not be detained by any member more than one week 
together, from instructing others in their turn, and 
forwarding the business of irrigation on their estates 
and farms ; so vast is found to be the benefit of this 
species of manure. 

Paring and burning are almost totally neglected 
in this county, which, together with shelly sand and 
other sea manures, the substrating gravel of the 

mountain 



o2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

mountain region, and not exhausting by two many 
and injudicious crops, could easily convert those 
mountains into tillage and verdure. 

Saspe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros, 
Atquc levem stipulam crepitantibus urere flammis. 

Geo. I. i. v. 53. 

By this we see, that two thousand 3-ears ago paring 
and burning was in estimation ; ignorance and inju- 
dicious management brought it into temporary dis- 
repute, and induced the legislature to enact a law 
against it. This law should be modified into a cer- 
tain management and course of crops. 



GENERAL 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 63 



GENERAL SUBJECTS. 



Population. 

According to Mr. Bushe's return to the Royal 
Irish Academy, in 1789, the population of Ireland 
then was four millions and forty thousand, without 
counting on barracks, hospitals, school-houses, or 
public buildings ; and exclusive of those, he thinks 
thirty thousand might safely be added to the gross 
population. According to him too, and the most 
faithworthy reports he could collect from the re- 
venue officers, the increase of one year's popula- 
tion over another was prodigious; that of 1785 over 
1777 was 25,896, that of 1788 over 1785 was 
147,162 houses. 

If this increase has continued to be any thing like 
progressive, (and that it has there is no doubt, as its 
ratio always multiplies in proportion to the stock), 
at this day the population of Ireland can be little, 
if any thing, under five millions; and that of the 
county of Donegal, which in 1789 was estimated at 
140 ? Q00, may now be supposed to approach 200,000. 

Number 



64 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Number and size of villages and toxvns. 

In 1789 the number of houses in this county was 
23,521, and although since that period there may be 
an increase in houses to a not easily calculated ex- 
tent, the villages, which are about 500, are not 
on the increase, but dispersing daily into separate 
habitations and holdings. 

The number of towns are thirty ; many of them 
not consisting of thirty houses, large and small ; the 
most considerable are Ballyshannon, Donegal, Lif- 
ford, Raphoe, Letterkenny, and Rathmelton. 

Habitation, fuel, food, and cloathing of the lower 
rank — their general cost. 

The habitations of the poor of Donegal are nearly 
the same as observable through most other parts of 
Ireland ; many, very many of the natives of the 
mountain region, particularly near the sea coast, are 
miserably lodged. For want of capital and of know- 
ledge, to reclaim the fields, that gave them birth, 
they consequently must resign themselves to the 
most obvious and attainable means of subsistence, 
fishing, and the other products of the sea shore ; on 
which, together with very little and very poor til- 
lage, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 65 

lage, many of them live long, and perhaps not un- 
happy lives. 

But in very many, indeed in most parts of even the 
mountain region, the cabins are tolerably snug, but 
intolerably unclean, as in general the cattle and hogs 
herd with the family; and in summer, when all the 
mountains are dry, a marsh of filth surrounds the 
cabin doors. 

Nor does this statement very much differ from 
that to be made of the champain region ; for there, 
though snugness and cleanliness is more predomi- 
nant, the brute and human beings are not unfre- 
quently warmed by the same fire and the same 
steams. 

In England, an act of parliament prohibits the 
building of wooden houses, because persons and 
property were damaged and endangered by them. 
Persons and property, in Ireland, are consumed 
(though slowly) by filth. But hitherto, no act has 
enjoined separate habitations for the brute and the 
man, nor the removal and economy of dung and 
ordure; which, without one shilling additional ex- 
pence, could be superintended by the petty con- 
stables. 

The average cost of building those cabins -may be 
from £ 5 to c£.10. 

Fuel is everywhere turf; its cost annually from 
one to two guineas. 

« The 



65 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The common food is potatoes, oaten bread, and 
the benefits of the sea shore, with some milk and 
butter. 

The sustenance of a family, six in number, will 
amount to an expence of =£.15 or £.16, calculating 
on the average price their potatoes, fish, meal, and 
butter would bring, if sent to market. 

The cloathing is frize, which, at 3s : 9f d. per 
yard, with all the expences, will come to about forty 
shillings the suit. Some of the young people wear 
chorded thicksets, and Manchester waistcoats, which 
raises the cost above two guineas. The women wear 
druggetts and flannels, of which a suit will amount 
to about thirty shillings ; but the decenter sort of this 
order, and most of the young women wear stuffs 
and cottons, which brings the expence to above two 
•guineas. 



State of tithe, its general amount on each article , 
what articles are exempt and what charged by 
modus. 

The report to be made of the state of tithe in this 
county is very satisfactory ; the incumbents send 
persons to view the sowings, who, according to the 
report made by those viewers, make a conscienciable 
easy charge, supposed to be a tenth part, which the 

landholders 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 67 

landholders so willingly pay, that all through the 
county I have not heard one complaint or grumble. 



Use of beer and spirits, whether either or which 
is increasing'. 

In all the mountain region, as if instinctively ad- 
dicted to banish the cold, the use of spirits is in- 
dulged in to great excess ; the interstices of those 
mountains are a great barley country, which is all 
converted into whiskey, for the double purpose of 
drinking and providing for the rent ; no beer. 

In the champain region the use of spirits is con- 
siderably less, of beer more ; during the late dearth 
of provisions, beer or spirits were not so much used, 
or rather abused in Donegal; they now, however, 
return to their old practices as chearfully as ever. 

Price of labour and provisions. 

In the mountain region, cottiers get the grass of a 
cow and one acre of such ground as they have, with 
a cabin, for one guinea per year ; and about 9d. per 
day, or 6\d. with meat and drink. 

In the champain parts, the common hire is Is: Id, 

without food, or e\d, and meat and dritik, Cottiers 

f 2 pay 



68 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

pay for one acre of ground, grass of a cow, and 
cabin, from two guineas to <£.3- 

Provisions are now (Nov. 1801) very cheap, po- 
tatoes about 2d. a stone, meal from 8s. to 12s. per 
hundred, and beef and mutton 3frf. per pound. 



State of roads, bridges, Xc. 



Nothing can exceed the goodness of the roads of 
this county. In the mountain region, the materials 
are every where at hand, and the roads remarkably 
smooth and excellent. 

To this there is but one exception, that is, the 
coastwise route from Rutland towards Derry; the 
perils and difficulties, attending a journey in this 
way, have been faintly described in an account of 
the soil and surface. 

The two rivers, which descend from the moun- 
tains to the two arms of the sea, called Guidowr 
and Anagar, unite into one bed about one mile and 
an half from those arms up the mountain ; a road 
therefore from those already made along the coast, 
to join a bridge at the junction of those two rivers, 
would form a communication extremely necessary 
between the barony of Kilmaerennan and Rosses, 
which would save in travelling that way from forty- 
five 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 69 

five to fifty miles, particularly in times of neap 
tides or floods when they are totally impassable. 

On Kilmacrennnan side, the road is finished up to 
the bridge, which would open this communication ; 
and this barony, beside, offers to build the bridge at 
their own exclusive expence, provided Boylagh and 
Bannagh, on their part, brought up the road to meet 
it There is somewhere a lack. 



Of navigations and navigable rivers. 

Lough Swilly carries ships of 150 tons up to Lefr- 
terkenny and Rathmelton. 

Lough Foyle is navigable for ships of great 
weight to Derry ; lighters of 50 tons pass under the 
wooden bridge of Derry, as far as Lifford; and 
boats of 14 ton weight ride up the Fin- water as far 
as Castlefin. 

Another river of the name of Swilly rises in Sir 
Samuel Hayes's mountain of Cart ; it runs by Port- 
ball, and joins the Foyle at a place called Swilly, 
near Porthall, three miles from Lifford ; this carries 
boats of ten or twelve tons up to Ballindrait. 

A canal is in contemplation between Lough Erne, 
in the county of Fermanagh, and the sea at Bally- 
shannon. The greatest part of the money has been 

collected 



70 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

collected by subscription, and part of the excava- 
tion is formed at Belleek. This canal, though only 
from three to four miles long, will open a commu- 
nication for sixty or seventy miles, between the in- 
terior of the country and the Atlantic. 

The water of Lough Erne empties itself by a river 
of that name, which runs from Belleek, where the 
lake terminates, to Bally shannon, and near one mile 
north of it to the sea. This river, by the junction 
of the sea-water, becomes navigable for ships of 
considerable burden up to the waterfall, where there 
is safe anchorage for a great deal of shipping ; but 
the entrance from the sea into this river, called the 
bar, is for some hundreds of yards so exposed to 
southwesterly storms, as to render it quite inacces- 
sible during high winds. 

This town is, notwithstanding, gaining ground 
and importance in trade, and would do so consider- 
ably more, if a strong wall was built to shelter the 
entrance of the harbour. 

This wall, if once built, would at least double the 
interest of the sum necessary for erecting it, to Go- 
vernment or any company, that might undertake it, 
by a toll on the shipping. 



Of 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 1\ 

Of Fisheries. 

What is called the north-west coast and fisheries 
of Ireland belong to this county. Here the herring- 
fishery has dwindled within the last ten or twelve 
years to a 100th part; still it varies, one year better, 
another worse. Mr. Montgomery of Cloverhill, who 
has been upwards of twenty years deeply concerned 
in those fisheries, thinks this failure owing to the 
summer fishing of what the fishermen affect to call 
sprats ; but which he is convinced, and so are other 
gentlemen, are in reality young herrings : and that 
this summer fishing not only reduces them in the 
quantity of myriads, but frightens the survivors away 
from the coast. 

The part of the north-west coast, between St. 
John's point and Donegal, still produces a summer 
fishery as abundant on an average as ever. But the 
winter fishery for some }ears past has almost failed 
entirely. In the years 1784 and 1785, the winter 
fishery produced to the inhabitants of Rosses a sum 
of £. 40000, having loaded with herrings upwards of 
300 ships each of those years. 

This induced Colonel Conyngham to expend a 
sum of fifty thousand pounds, in building houses 
and stores on the Island of Innismacdurn, in the 
manner of a town, which he called Rutland ; and in 

making 



72 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

making roads, through the mountains, to the cham- 
pain parts of the county. 

From that period the herring fishery experienced a 
gradual decline, until in the year 1793 it failed en- 
tirely. 

Such failures however have taken place in former 
years, and to those failures in subsequent years 
have succeeded abundant fisheries : we may there- 
fore not only hope, but conclude on the alternate 
change of success soon again taking place. A gen- 
tleman, with whom I am now conversing, who is per- 
fectly conversant with those fisheries, recollects half 
a dozen alternations of this sort. 

All the western rivers of Donegal are neither na- 
vigable nor otherwise of any note, than to produce 
abundance of trout, salmon, and eel, and bringing 
to the respective proprietors some small rents for 
those fisheries. 

White Fishing. 

This species of fishing is neither extended nor en- 
couraged on this coast, but, if it was, must prove of 
considerable importance ; as one boat will kill in one 
day forty dozen of cod, glassin, and ling, in a good 
season. 

Whate 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 73 

Whale Fishery. 

Great numbers of those come on this coast ; Mr. 
Nisbett generally killed two, three, and sometimes 
four in one season, about 20 years ago ; one of the 
whales however, angry at this invasion of their em- 
pire of the ocean, gave Mr. Nisbett's boat a whisk 
of its tail, and shattered it in pieces ; two men were 
lost ; the activity and good swimming of Mr. James 
Hamilton of Eden saved many lives, and among 
them Mr. Nisbett's, who was the last picked out of 
the waves. This accident put an end to his whale 
fishing. 

In the course of whale-fishing, the sunfish, an 
animal from thirty to forty feet long, are caught in 
great numbers ; from the liver of this creature is 
extracted from one tun to one tun and an half of oil. 
The average value of a whale is, c£.750 : : 
sunfish 45 : 10 : 

As the sunfish are seldom caught, except by boats 
belonging to the whale fishery, and as one whaler, 
with the usual number of boats, will generally catch 
three or four whales, with forty sunfish, and deduct- 
ing c£.500 for every expence, the nett annual pro- 
fits of one whaler will be «£ .4300 

Salmon 



74 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Salmon Fishery. 



That at Ballyshannon, when last rented, brought 
annually <£. 108-3, : 6s. : Sd. It is now in the hands of 
Mr. Conolly, and has been for the two last years 
much more productive. 

The eel fishery there sets at .£.325, : 105. : 6d. 
yearly. 



State of Education , Schools, and Charitable In- 
stitutions. 

To every parish in all the diocese of Raphoe, which 
in the county of Donegal extends from the Erne wa- 
ter to Fanad, a scope of fifty miles by considerable 
breadth, a legacy has been left by Major Robinson, 
son to a clergyman of Donegal town, by the interest 
of which legacy or sum left, £\5. yearly are appro- 
priated to one schoolmaster, in each parish through- 
out the diocese, for the instruction of children of all 
persuasions. 

Though Major Robinson has been dead upwards 
of seven years, the legacy to the teachers only com- 
menced last year ; and the few schoolmasters, who 
have been appointed, receive, as I have heard, only 

«£l0. instead of £\ 5. 

In 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 75 

In Raphoe 'tis said there is another endowment, of 
about .£.600 per annum, and there no regular school 
has been kept during the last twenty years ; by whom 
this endowment was made I forget. 

I don't say from my own knowledge, that those 
endowments are mismanaged and abused, but cer- 
tainly I have been informed it was so ; this, however, 
I say from myself, that if a controuling power is any 
where invested, it is called to look round the state of 
education in Ireland, to inquire into the foundations 
and endowments designed for its promotion, and, if 
monopoly does exist, or peculation, not only to pre- 
vent but to expose and punish it. 

The rich require no endowed schools; they can 
pay for their education; but o£\600 a year could esta- 
blish thirty schools in the remotest and most ignorant 
parts of the country, for the instruction of the poor 
in the principles of Christianity and farming, allow- 
ing each schoolmaster c£.20 a year. 

A proper revisionary survey, and a few gleanings 
of some thousands, which I am well assured could be 
made over Ireland, might furnish ample means, with 
due economy and regular distribution, for the in- 
struction of all the poor of this country in the plain 
rudiments of all the learning necessary for them. 

In Lifford are two endowments, one for Greek and 
Latin^, the other for English; the JEnglish school is 

kept, 



76 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

kept, the other not: those endowments were insti- 
tuted by Sir Richard Hansard. 

In the parish of Raith is a charter school for thirty 
boys, regularly paid. 

The Rev. Mr. Kennedy, near Mawlin-head, among 
the other benefits he is of in that neighbourhood, 
keeps up regularly his parish school, and uses his 
best efforts to establish schools every where in the 
country, for the instruction of children in the prin- 
ciples of Christianity and farming. 

The state of education in the mountain region is 
much more backward, than in any other part of Ire- 
land, that I am acquainted with ; in the remote and 
sequestered glens, the inhabitants being only few and 
scattered, and unable to employ teachers, are indeed 
in a very degrading state of ignorance ; in the glens 
even, that are more cultivable and inhabited, the 
parents eomplain of inability to pay four or five shil- 
lings yearly to the schoolmaster; and beside, three 
times as much labour, as in the champain parts, is 
here necessary to produce the same quantity of pota- 
toes and corn, both of a worse quality and less nutri- 
tive; it becomes then necessary for those people to 
eat at least one-third more of those bad potatoes and 
bread, to supply nature in quantity, where the quality 
is defective: thus labour is multiplied, with all the 
pther good fortune of those people, and the pressure 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 77 

of it is so urgent, that the children are from childhood 
doomed to constant participation in the toil of work- 
ing out this meagre subsistence, and consequent pri- 
vation of every opportunity of rising to their own 
level. 

Mr. Stewart, of Tyrcallan, has established in his 
neighbourhood, at his own expense, two schools, one 
for male, another for female children. 

For the females a very neat house is fitted up, in 
the town of Stranorlane, where they are instructed 
by a female in reading, writing, arithmetic, sew- 
ing, and such other matters as are suited to their 
situation. 

The males are taught in another part of the neigh- 
bourhood ; but in order not to interfere with the ne- 
cessary labours of the short days, they are in the 
nearly hours of winter nights instructed in those points, 
that are best suited to their condition. m 

Of absentee and resident Proprietors. 
Barony of Tyrhugh. 

ABSENT. 

Conolly, Right Honorable Thomas 
Dickson, Major, Woodville 
Folliot, Mr. 
Sudley, Lord 

RESIDENT. 



TS STATISTICAL SURVEY 

RESIDENT. 

Atkinson, Mr. Cavangarden 
Coane, Mr. 

Dickson, Mr. James, Ballyshannon 
Hamilton, Mr. Brownhall 
Hamilton, Mr. Lough-eask 
Jones, Mr. Cher^mount 
Major, Mi\ Ballyshannon 
Reynolds, Mr. Coolbeg 
Seely, Mr. Chenymount 
Tredenick, Mr. 

Boylagh mid Banmgk. 

ABSENT. 

Conyngham, Lord 
Harcourt, Mr. 
Murray, Mr. 

RESIDENT. 

Hamilton, Mr. Fintra 
Hamilton, Mr. Eden 
Hamilton, Mr. Brucldass 
Maxwell, Mr. Castlegolan 
"^Montgomery, Mr. Cloverhill 
Montgomery, Mr. Hall 
Mac Dowell, Mr. Killibeggs 



Montgomery, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 7* 

Montgomery, Mr. Enniskeai 
Nisbett, Mr. Woodhill 
Nisbett, Mr. Kilmacreddan 

Kilmacrennan. 

ABSENT. 

Babington, Mr. 
Brooke, Mr. 
Cooper, Mr. 
Clements, Lord 
Hervey, Mr. 
Hatfield, Mr. 
Knox, Mr. Prehend 
Norman, Mr. 
Richardson, Mr. 

RESIDENT. 

Alfert, Mr. Ballyconnei 
Boyd, Mr. Gortlee 
Chambers, Mr. 

Colquohoun, Mr. Letterkenny 
Donlevy, Mr. Letterkenny 
Grove, Mr. Castlegrove 
Johnston, Mr. Cashel 
Mansfield, Mr. Castlerea 
Patten, Mr. 
Ray, Mr. Oakpark 

Stuart. 



SO STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Stuart, Sir James, Fort Stuart 
Stuart, Mr. Ards 
Stuart, Mr. Hornhead. 

Raphoe. 

ABSENT. 

Abercorn, Lord 
Delap, Mr. 
Erne, Lord 
Galbraith, Mr. 
Hervey, Mr. 
Hervey, Mr. 
Law, Mr. 
Lesley, Mr. 
Lifford, Lord 
Lenox Conyngham, Mr. 
Mountjoy, Lord 
Pratt, Mr. 
Scott, Mr. 
Styles, Sir Charles 
Wicklow, Lady 
Young, Mr. Alexander 

RESIDENT. 

Allot, Dean of Raphoe 
Browne, Mr. Maracallan 
Chambers, Mr. Rockhill 



Forward, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 81 

Forward, Mr. 

Hayes, Sir Samuel, Drumboe castle 

Hawkins, Bishop of Raphoe 

Johnston, Mr. Stranorlane 

Kinkade, Doctor 

Knox, Mr. Ballybofey 

Mansfield, Mr. Killygordon 

M'Clintock, Mr. 

Montgomery, Mr. Convoy 

Nisbett, Mr. GreenhilL 

Sinclair, Mr. 

Stuart, Mr. Tyrcallan 

Young, Mr. Mounthall 

Innishowen. 

ABSENT. 

Donegal, Marquis of 



RESIDENT. 



Cary, Mr. 
Cary, Mr. 
Hervey, Captain 
Hart, Mr. 
Maxwell, Colonel 
Montgomery, Mr. 
Todd, Mr. 
Young, Mr. 



Of 



82 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Of Circulation of Money or Paper. 

Money and paper are equally current, except in 
the mountain region, where I am sorry to see the 
degree of ignorance so great, that they totally refuse 
the currency of paper, being in general quite illi- 
terate. 

Of farming or agricultural Societies, 

In this county there are two farming societies, the 
Tyrhugh, and Raphoe. 

The proposed scheme of the Tyrhugh society is 
here subjoined, and the premiums offered by that of 
Raphoe. 

Tyrhugh Farmers Society. — At a meeting of the 
resident gentlemen of the barony of Tyrhugh, holden 
in Ballyshannon, on Saturday the 24th day of May, 
1800, it was agreed, that a society should be esta- 
blished, for the encouragement of industry and farm- 
ing amongst the inhabitants of the barony, and a 
fund raised by subscription, from which premiums 
shall be given to the most deserving. 

That every person, who subscribes a sum not less 
than half a guinea annually, shall become a member 
of the society, and continue such, so long as he shall 
think proper to pay his subscription. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 83 

v The following gentlemen are chosen as a com- 
mittee, to carry the plans of the society into execu- 
tion, viz. 

James Hamilton, Esq. Brown-hall 

William Tredenick, Esq. 

John Atkinson, Esq. 

Hewetson Reynolds, Esq. 

John Major, Esq. 

James Dickson, Esq. 

John Allingham, junior, Esq. 

James Forbes, Esq. 

That James Dickson, of Ballyshannon, Esq. be 
appointed treasurer. 

That the committee be requested to make known 
the intentions of the society to such gentlemen as 
have properties in the barony, and to solicit their 
aid. 

That there be two meetings of the society holden 
in each year, one in Ballyshannon, and one in Done- 
gal ; and that on each of these days, a plain farmer's 
dinner shall be provided for such members of the 
society as chuse to remain. 

That the first meeting be holden on the first Mon- 
day in November, 1800, at the house of Mrs. Pye, in 
the town of Ballyshannon, and that all the gentlemen 
and farmers are requested to meet at the hour of 
twelve o'clock precisely. 

g 2 That 



84 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

That all subscriptions be paid to the treasurer, on 
or before the first day of November, 1800; in order 
that the committee may know what sums they can 
allot to the different premiums. 

That it is the intention of the society to hold out 
encouragement, and give premiums for the following 
purposes : 

For a linen market in Bally shannon. 

For good inclosures and quick-set hedges. 

For draining ground. 

For growing wheat. 

For growing clover. 

For the improvement and watering of meadow 
land. 

For reclaiming mountain and bog. 

For the cleanest and neatest farm houses and farm 
yards. ^ 

For the best and cleanest labourers or cottiers 
cabins (gentlemens' lodges excepted). 

To the best farmer's servants. 

To the best female servants or spinners. 

For the best bull. 

For the best ram. 

For the best draft stallion. 

For the best inclosed kitchen garden. 

For the best sallow garden. 

For raising forest trees and thorn quicks for sale. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 85 

The committee request, that all communications to 
them by letter may be addressed to the treasurer. 

The Raphoe Farming Society. — At the last meeting 
held in Raphoe the 25th of June, ult. having taken 
into consideration the plan of apportioning the pre- 
miums, offered by the society for the improvement of 
agriculture, which had been adopted at the preceding 
meeting; and it appearing, that that mode was unfa- 
vourable to the claims of the lower classes of farmers, 
whose interest it is a principal object of the society to 
promote, it was resolved, therefore, that instead of the 
former plan the following arrangement be adopted, 
of which all, who intend to become claimants, are re- 
quested to take notice : 

The division into classes as before, to be 
Class I. Gentlemen of estates and gentlemen far- 
mers. 

Class II. Persons living chiefly by agriculture, 
paying above <£.20 a year rent. 

Class III. Persons paying above c£.10, and under 
.£.20. 

Class IV. Persons paying under £.\0 a year rent. 
List of Premiums. — First, to the person of the 
fourth class, who shall have the cleanest and neatest 
cottage, and best inclosed garden, well stocked with 
the usual garden produce, three guineas. 
For the second best, two guineas, 
for the third best, one guinea. 

Second 



86 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Second for Ditching. — To the person of the second 
class, who between the first of May, 1801, and the" 
first of May, 1802, shall have made upon his or her 
farm the greatest quantity of ditches, not Jess than 
fifty perches statute measure, the ditch to be six feet 
wide by five feet deep, with a sufficient bank well 
planted with thorn quicks and forest trees, five 
guineas. 

For the next greatest number, not less than fifty 
perches, by a person *of this class, four guineas. 

To the person of the third class, who in like man- 
ner shall have made the greatest quantity, not less 
than thirty perches, five guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than thirty perches, four guineas. 

To the person of the fourth class, who in like man- 
ner shall have made the greatest quantity, not less 
than twenty perches, five guineas-. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than twenty perches, four guineas. 

Third, for cultivating Clover. — To the person of 
the third class, who shall have under a good crop of 
clover, in spring 1802, which had been sown with 
red clover seed in spring 1801 , the greatest quantity 
of land, not less than two roods, four guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than two roods, two guineas. 

To 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 87 

To the person of the fourth class, who in like man- 
ner shall have the greatest quantity of land under 
clover, not less than one rood, four guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than one rood, two guineas. 

Fourth, planting Osiers. — To the person of the 
third class, who shall before the 20th of March, 1 802, 
have prepared and well inclosed the greatest quantity 
of land, not less than one rood, and planted the same 
with good sets of the different kinds of osiers, not less 
than fifty to a square perch, four guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than one rood, planted in like manner, 
two guineas. 

To the person of the fourth class, who in like man- 
ner shall have planted the greatest quantity, not less 
than half a rood, four guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than half a rood, two guineas. 

Fifths reclaiming Mountain. — To the person of 
the third class, who between the first of May, 1801, 
and the first of May, 1803, shall have reclaimed, and 
brought into cultivation, the greatest number of 
acres, not less than two, of mountain, or mossy 
ground, that had not before been in cultivation, four 
guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than two acres, two guineas. 

To 



88 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

To the person of the fourth class, who in like man- 
ner shall have reclaimed the greatest quantity, not 
less than one acre, four guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, not less than one acre, two guineas. 

Sixth, for liming Land. — To the person of the 
second class, who between the first of January, 1801, 
and the first of May, 1802, shall have limed the 
greatest quantity of land, and have laid thereon at 
the rate of not less than 100 barrels of slacked lime 
to the acre, five guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, three guineas. 

To the person of the third class, who in like man- 
ner, and with like quantity, shall have limed the 
greatest quantity of land within the year, five gui- 
neas. 

For the second greatest quantity, by a person of 
this class, three guineas. 

To the person of the fourth class, who in like man- 
ner shall have limed the greatest quantity of land, 
five guineas. 

For the next greatest quantity, by a person of this 
class, three guineas. 

Seventh. — To the person, who by the first of May, 
r803, shall have prepared the greatest quantity of 
land, not less than two acres, within the barony, for 
a public nursery ground; and shall have the same 

sufficiently 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 89 

sufficiently stocked with the usual variety of forest 
trees and thorn quicks for sale, thirty guineas. 

Eighth. — To the person, who may appear most 
properly qualified to instruct the farmers in the ap- 
plication of water, for the improvement of grass- 
lands, who shall come to and reside within the ba- 
rony, at least six months previous to the first of May, 
1802, for the assistance of such persons within the 
barony, as may chuse to employ them in watering 
the grounds, twenty guineas. 

Ninth. — To the best plough-wright, who must be 
resident within the barony six months, previous to 
the first of February, 1802, ten guineas. 

Tenth. — To the labouring servant, who shall have 
lived the greatest number of years, not less than five, 
in the same service, and behaved with honesty, so- 
briety, and industry, during the time, three guineas. 

To the servant, who shall have lived the next 
greater number of years, &c. &c. two guineas. 

For the third greatest number, one guinea. 

In examining the different claims, the committee 
will always attend to the quality of the work, or 
crop, and will consider themselves authorised to set 
aside any claim, where the work seems to have been 
ill executed, or the produce of a bad quality, if the 
failure appears to have arisen from negligence or 
fraud. 

The 



90 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The claims for premiums will be examined by the 
committee, and their report made to the society 
thereon 3 at their meeting, on the 25th of June, 1802, 
with the exception of such claims as cannot be deter- 
mined until the next year. Such claimants as may 
then appear to be entitled to premiums, will be de- 
clared by the society, and the premiums will be paid 
immediately after by the treasurer. All persons in- 
tending to claim, must give notice of their intention 
to the secretary, on or before the first day of April 
next, that the committee may have time to examine 
into the different claims, and report to the society 
thereon. (Signed by order) John Kincaid, secretary. 
July 12, 1801. 

Of Manufactures — whether increasing. 

The staple manufacture of the county is that of 
linen and yam, which is every day increasing more 
and more. 

The stocking (woollen) manufacture is very consi- 
rable in Boylagh, and brought to high perfection; 
the women thereby contribute to provide for the rent : 
they are sold at from three shillings to seven shillings 
per pair. 

Mr. Richard Nisbett, of Wcodhill, on some pro- 
perty of his in Boylagh, found a tenant of his lately 
at work twisting and making ropes with his fingers of 

beg 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. m 

bog-fir ; he shewed me some of them, which seemed 
extremely well executed, and is determined to pro- 
cure for this industrious man the necessary tools 
and assistance to forward his manufacture. 

Kelp is a considerable manufacture around the 
north-west coast. Mr. Stuart of Maghery, in Rosses, 
has introduced a method of burning sea-weed in a 
very simple, and, it was thought, a very economical 
manner, by which the same fire dresses and burns the 
weed ; but the expence of fuel was found to exceed 
any benefit arising from it, which suppressed this 
attempt. 

Mr. Montgomery, of Clover-hill, had during the 
fisheries three salt-pans in full and extensive work ; 
Mr. Allingham, near Bally shannon, another ; they 
now do not manufacture near so much. 

But whiskey — particularly in the mountain re- 
gion, and all round the coast, is the chief manufac- 
ture. It is by running their barley into this beve- 
rage they provide for one half year's rent. This is 
therefore a tax raised by the rich on the morals and 
industry of the poor ; on the morals, as far as it mi- 
nisters to intoxication and disorder ; on industty, in 
as much as the growth of flax, and its manufacture, 
and the manuring and improvement of lands are 
only secondary to this nefarious practice. 



Of 



92 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Of encouragement to them and the peculiar aptness 
of the situation for their extension. 

I hold, that whiskey making, and whiskey drinking , 
are virtually encouraged, in as much as they are not 
suppressed, and the deluded victims of ignorance and 
intoxication not compelled to resort to other means 
of providing for their rents. Suppose, rearing and 
manufacturing flax, and improving by the help of 
lime (which is no where out of their reach) those 
mountains, among which they are either drunk or 
starving. 

Lord Conyngham and Mr. Conolly have done a 
great deal here to encourage the linen trade. Lord 
Conyngham has given looms to his tenants, and 
lends them money to carry on this trade, which al- 
ready is in a very considerable degree of forward- 
ness, particularly in a part of the mountain region 
called Glantice. 

To give maturity to such plans of encouragement 
as this, would enrich the tenants, their landlords, 
and the country at large, more than can at first 
sight be perceived. 

Even furnishing tenants with looms to weave their 
own yarn, will produce a surplus saving and enrich- 
ment* 






OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 93 

ment, annually ; to the amount of their whole year's 
rent. 

In widely extended estates, such as Lord Conyng- 
ham's, suppose the produce of yarn £. 10,000, that 
manufactured into linen, (which may be done by the 
inhabitants at times they could not work abroad) 
would produce an encrease sum of <£.2700, calcu- 
lating on a difference of two-sevenths between the 
raw and manufactured material. 

This consequently would not only enrich the 
working individual, but also bring an influx and cir- 
culation of money into the country. 

Mr. Conolly also has established a linen manufac- 
tory ; twenty houses at the Nadir and Corlea, near 
Ballyshannon, with two looms in each house, and a 
certain portion of land. 

The premiums offered by the Tyrhugh Societ}', 
for establishing a linen market at Ballyshannon, 
must contribute very much to the advancement of 
that branch. 

As to the aptness of situation for the extension of 
those manufactures, nothing can be more peculiarly 
fitted than this county is; roads, water, markets, 
bleach-greens, every where not inconvenient, kelp, 
and limestone to manure the mountains, for the pro- 
duction of the raw material. 



Of 



94 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Of mills of every kind. 

There are every where plenty of flax and corn 
mills, some clothiers, and only two flour mills. 



Of plantations and planting. 

From Donegal to Bally shannon, none worth men- 
tioning, except at Brownhall, a little but well ar- 
ranged ; nor is there any that claims notice on the 
north-west coast, or mountain region. I have ob- 
served on the western coast of Ireland, that planta- 
tions grow in the face of the storms and wind's eye ; 
but the north-west blast seems totally destructive of 
every effort to secure the vegetation of young trees. 
Grow they will, as high as the skreen, which keeps 
off the north blast, is impervious to it ; higher they 
will not grow, but are bent in a south-east direction, 
level with the top of the skreen. 

But in situations more exposed than where I have 
seen those trials, roots and trunks of trees are seen, 
which certainly grew there I 

In the island of Arranmore, and in different parts 
of the opposite continent, where now the tide flows 
Over from four to five feet, and right in the teeth of 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 95 

the north-west storms, are to be seen large stumps of 
trees ! there trees now will positively not grow ! It 
would then seem an object of enquiry, what is the 
change in this climate, or situation of our globe, 
which produced this effect ? 

At Ards, the seat of Mr. Stuart, are some ancient 
woods and plantations of great extent. At Fort 
Stuart, the seat of Sir James Stuart, are some very 
flourishing and well disposed plantations. At the 
Bishop of Raphoe's, there are some full grown timber 
trees. 

But Mr. Stuart, of Tyrcallan, exceeds all this 
county, and perhaps any individual of Ireland 
for planting. He has lived here but a very few 
years, yet already has he planted upwards of one 
hundred acres of birch, oak, ash, &c. His nursery, 
containing sixteen acres, is now at full growth for a 
succession of planting out annually twenty acres. 

Sir Samuel Hayes's woods and plantations are ex- 
tensive and well dressed. 

Mr. Mansfield has some woods and plantations ; 
Mr. Spence and a few others. 



Of 



96 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Of the effects of the encouragement heretofore given 
them by the Society ', particularized in the list 
annexed. 

This list is as follows : — 

To Mr. F. Fawcett, planting Danish forts, 13P. 
planted, 17P. enclosed, 1791. 

To Henry Stewart, planting forest trees, 1 8 A. 1799. 

Both are very well enclosed, preserved, and in full 
growth. 

There is a little part of the high hill over Mr, 
Stewart's, rather exposed to the north-west, where 
the trees are not very luxuriant. But if hundreds 
of plants may recompence for one, Mr. Stewart 
might freely be excused, if the 18 A. decayed alto- 
gether. 



Of any improvement r , which may occur for future 
encouragement , and particularly for the preser- 
vation of the trees when planted. 

Trees planted along the roads, so as not to injure 
the road or each other, would admirably beautify 
the country, and this would be very little addi- 
tional 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 97 

tional trouble to the road makers: building a few 
stones, or a mound of earth round them, would be 
full enough security from cattle ; Grand Juries could 
regulate the purchase of plants, so as to be a very 
trifling expence to the county. 

As to the preservation of trees, when planted, two 
things only are necessary, shelter, and good en- 
closures. 

Broom, for young plants, is a thick shelter and fast 
grower ; horse chestnut, but particularly in the out- 
ward rows ; I have seen alder and Canada-poplar an 
excellent security to growth. 



Of nurseries within the county, and extent of sales. 

At the Nadir, near Bally shannon, there is a large 
well assorted nursery. The extent of sale into the 
counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim, and Sligo, is con- 
siderable. 

I don't know of any other public nursery in the 
county. Mr. Stewart supplies his tenants gratis. 

Mr. Sinclair, beside being an extensive and nota- 
ble improver of his estate, has also, I have heard, 
a very good taste for rearing and planting out young 
trees. He had not been at home when I passed 
through his part of the country, else I should have 
waited on him to see those improvements. 

h Price 



98 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Price of timber and state of it in the county. 

In the whole county there is no timber for sale, 
unless imported deal, planks and boards ; the boards 
about two shillings each, the planks by the ton at 
Dublin prices. 

Quantity of bog and waste ground. 



From Belleek to Donegal, are ten miles of moun- 
tain by ten broad. From Killybeggs round bj- Cape- 
telling to Green-castle, seventy miles by ten broad, 
all which, according to the calculation of Mr. Han- 
Ion, an expert experienced surveyor, produce not 
less than 721,200 acres bog and mountain. 



. Possibility and means of improving it. 

From Belleek to Donegal, round by Barnesmore, 
a deep soiled improveable mountain, already a good 
deal intersected with roads, and the limestone within 
reach. 

From Killybeggs, round by Cape-telling to Rosses, 
Fanad, and Innishowen, the mountains are all either 

within 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 99 

within reach of sea-manures, weeds, and shelly sea- 
sand, or else intersected with ledges of limestone 
rock ; consequently, where there is any depth of soil, 
those mountains are all reclaimable. 

There are no doubt some extensive tracts of naked 
granite rocks, particularly in Rosses ; and as it is an 
acknowledged fact, that God does nothing in vain, 
I shall hope to see some marginal note, in the re- 
vision and correction of this report, explaining the 
use of those naked tracts. 



Obstacles to it, and best means of removing those 
obstacles. 

One of the principal obstacles is, a want of capital 
and knowledge in the poor, and of spirit and enter- 
prize in the rich. 

Lord Conyngham is certainly essaying a very good 
method for removing a very material obstacle, viz : — 
drunkenness and idleness, by using the most laud- 
able exertions to substitute the culture of flax to that 
of barley ; barley and whiskey, as it has appeared, 
being the bane of the mountain region. 

Emigration is a great obstacle to reclaiming bogs 
and mountains. In the course of last year, upwards 
of 4000 persons left the single port of Derry, ac- 
cording to the best information the custom-house 
officers of that town could give me. 

L.ovC. h 2 The 



100 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The best means of removing this obstacle is, to 
keep the Irishmen in their own country, and to en- 
courage them by long leases, allowance and instruc- 
tion in reclaiming, to prefer their own country to ano- 
ther ; if superfluous grazing was diminished, it woulcj 
compel the graziers to give to man a turn of the 
fine fields so long occupied by the bullocks, because 
be would find it his interest so to do. 

Habits of industry or want of it among the people. 

In the mountain region, where the culture of 
barley, and use of whiskey, and consequent intoxi- 
cation are suffered to predominate, industry and 
the habits of it are shamefully degraded. In the 
champain parts, where agriculture and manufac- 
tures employ the time of the peasant, and repay 
his labour, industry and all its habits prevail -, even 
in those parts of the mountain region called Glan- 
tiee, where the linen manufacture is gaining ground, 
drunkenness and idleness are decreasing conside- 
rably. 

This shews, that laziness and immorality are not 
inherent m the natives ; instruction and capital only 
are wanting to induce them into the habits and 
spirit of industry. 



The 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 101 



The use of the English language, whether general 
or how far encreasing* 

In the mountain region the English language is 
very little known ; parents would wish to instruct 
their children, but are too poor to pay for any 
education for them, in some instances ; in many 
parts there are no schools, and sometimes where 
they are, the children cannot be spared from work- 
ing for the potatoe and barley. 

In the champain parts the English is quite ge- 
neral ; the Scotch twang is the vulgar accent of this 
county. 

Account of toxvers* castles, monasteries, ancient 
buildings, or places remarkable for historical 
events. 

Kilbarren castle — Two miles north-west of Ball y- 
ahannon, built by O'Skinneen, on a precipice over the 
sea ; it does not seem to have been strong or im- 
portant ; very few only of the ruins remain. 

Donegal castle — Built by O'Donnel about the 
twelfth century ; it is a very pretty but very irre- 
gular building, and situated in a beautiful view ^of 
the bay of Donegal. 

Castle Mac Swine—Was built on a point little 

broader 



102 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

broader than its foundation, which jets a few yards 
into the sea, within half a mile west of Dunkanally ; 
the walls are nearly quite ruined. 

Castle of Dungloe — At Portdungloe in the pa- 
rish of Tempi ecrane near Rutland ; here are the 
ruins of an ancient building ; near this have been 
fished up several brass cannon, said to have belong- 
ed to the Spanish armada, and this seems the more 
true as they bore the Spanish arms. 

At Lough Rus, town of Cranaghbov, are the 
ruins of an ancient building, said to have belonged 
to the O'Boyles. 

On an island in the lake of Kiltorus, are the 
ruins of an old building ; a rusty six-pounder lies 
just near it ; this is off Boylagh near Mr. Hamil- 
ton's of Eden ; not a vestige of tradition relates one 
tittle about it ; the name, which is compounded of 
Kil a church and torus a station, seems to indicate 
its being consecrated of old, like many other islands 
of Ireland, to that watery and superstitious devotion, 
which, as Tacitus informs us, had been in practice 
among the Gauls, and which most probably the 
Firbolgs, who came from that country, introduced 
among us. 

Fort Stezcart castle — Lies a little north east of Sir 
James Stewart's on Lough S willy ; it was built by 
Sir William Stewart patentee of James the 1st. 

Castle of Biiit—Was built by Sir Cathir O'Dogh- 

herty 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 103 

herty in the 15th. century, and by him also was 
built the castle of Inch, both on Lough Swilly. 

Castle of Doe — Or Mac Swine's castle, is situated 
on Cannon-point a peninsula, but little broader than 
its extent, on the bay of Ards, to the demesne of 
which it appears in various handsome views. It was 
built by a lady of the name of Quin, who afterwards 
married one of the Mc' Swine family, a couple of 
years before the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; it was 
since then fortified with a strong bawn by the grand- 
father of the present Mr. Mc' Swine of Dunfanaghy ; 
it was only of small extent, but very strong, and 
surrounded by a deep fosse, which admitted the 
sea-water on the land side. 

Green Castle is on the western bank of Lough- 
foyle, just at its expansion into the ocean, said to 
have been built by Sir Cathir O'Dogherty. It stands 
on a rock boldly prominent on the ocean, measuring 
100 yards long by 56 broad, and 45 feet high. The 
walls are in most parts twelve feet broad, the most 
part of which are still entire ; many portions of the 
wall have fallen from the top, and remained entire 
after the tumble ; one fragment in particular, which 
fell forty feet off the top of the south-west tower, mea- 
sures thirty feet round, by thirteen high, and so 
strongly cemented are the stones of it, that- no flint 
rock can be harder. It seems evidently to have been 
intended for the defence of that bay. 

The 



104 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The great extent of this building, the gables, 
towers, and chimneys, still so high and so numerous, 
and its bold projection on the water, give it every 
air of a magnificent ruin. 

On the west of this building, a slope of fertile 
country ascends to the neighbouring mountains : al- 
most on the opposite side of Loughfoyle, appears 
the Earl of Bristol's palace, the temple and mauso- 
leum all standing in a stately style upon the ocean. 
The shipping in the harbour, and the elongation of 
Fairhead cape on the water form one of those ever 
varying and peculiar novelties of view, which in this 
northern region give singular pleasure. 

In the deer-park of Castleforward, in the beech 
grove, is a flag five feet in diameter, perfectly cir- 
cular, and regularly indented with holes half an inch 
deep, and one inch diameter ; it is raised on other 
stones eighteen inches high. 

Is this a druidical altar ? 

Is it and its hieroglyphics emblematicof lun ar 
worship ? 

Or what then ? 

Monasteries. 

A strath on the river Erne, near the town of Bal- 
lyshannon, anciently called Easruadh and by other 
names: an abbey was founded here in 1178 by 

Roderic 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 105 

Roderic O'Cananan, prince of Tyrconnel, for monks 
of the Cistertian order. 

He was slain in battle by O'Flahertach, who suc- 
ceeded him. Some writers make O'Flahertach the 
founder ; War. Mon. This abbey was a daughter of 
that of Boyle; in 1241 Donnell more O'Donnell, 
king of the countries of Tyrconnel and Fermanagh, 
secluded himself from the troubles of the world, ex- 
pired in peace in this abbey, and was interred there- 
in the same year. The abbot Lawrence O'Lachlan 
was about this time removed to Boyle. 

In 1377 the abbey was consumed by fire. 

In 1379 O'Donnell king of Tyrconnel was mur- 
dered by his own brother, and buried here ; King p. 
403. 

By an inquisition taken in the thirty-first of Queen 
Elizabeth, the abbot was found to have been seized 
of the site of the abbeys and village, containing three 
acres, in which was a cemetery, a church, and steeple, 
partly covered with shingles and partly with thatch, 
the ruins of a dormitory, three other stone buildings, 
and four small cottages with their curtelages, and 
which without repairing were of no value. Fifty-three 
quarters of land, and the fourth of half a quarter being 
near the abbey, and the demesne thereof; it was sub- 
divided into abllyboes, each containing the eighth 
part of a quarter, called Behy, Tullaghcorke, &c. 
Grange of Tawnyshintallen in O'Boyle 's country, 

Grange 



106 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Grange near the mountain of Kyseure, Grange of 
Kilternan in Fermanagh of the value of £.1 lis. 4d. 
•an annual rent of 3s. 4d. out of the island Ilan, 
Raghyn Ivyme, in the country of Tyrebaan ; ten 
weirs on the river Erne, value o£\l0 sterling. The 
abbot had the liberty of having two fishermen to 
take salmon during the season, at Asseroe on the 
river Erne ; he was also entitled to the second 
draught of every one fishing there, when they began 
to fish ; also to have a boat to take salmon and other 
fish from the island to the sea, value yearly 3s. 4d. 
The rectory of Tyreragh extended from the abbey 
lands to the mountain of Barnesmore, being the third 
part of all the tithes (salmon excepted, which did 
belong to the bishop) which rectory is valued at 
305. sterling. The abbot and convent had, beside, 
three parts of all the tithes of the quarter of Calla- 
murry, Cashill, Moyntir, Dooyne, five ballyboes of 
Carroshee, the quarter of Caroshee, six ballyboes of 
Ballymayard, and the quarter of Kildony and Kil- 
banyn, which were worth, besides the stipends of 
the curates, ,£.1 135. Sd. yearly; King p. 403. 

This detailed account to some ma}* appear very 
unnecessary, to others extremely curious and inter- 
esting. 

Bailemagrabhartagh. — This church in Innishoweu, 
and diocess of Derry, was founded by St. Colomb. 

Tr, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 107 

Tr. Th. p. 495. and another monastery of the same 
name was founded by the same Saint in Tirdaedha in 
the diocess of Raphoe, where the celebrated relique 
of S. Columb, called Cathach, was said to have been 
preserved. 

These monasteries are now unknown. 

Bally M'Swhiy — .Near Castle Doe, in the barony 
of Kilmacrennan ; a monastery was founded here by 
M'Swine, for friars of the order of St. Francis; 
War. Mon. 

Some of the ruins are still extant. 

Bellaghan. — Wares Mon. says a friary had been 
here ; there is now no vestige or account of it. 

Bothchonais.—\r\ Inneshowen ; this was formerly a 
great and celebrated abbey, Act. ss. p. 108. of 
which St. Coemgal, brother to St, Cele Christus, who 
died A. D. 1721 , and a different person from the Saint 
of Bangor, was abbot. Ann. 4 masters. 

There are said to be, but I could not find them, 
many books written by the hand of St. Maelisa, which 
formerly belonged to this abbey, still preserved in 
the hands of some of the religious of this neighbour- 
hood. 

St. Maelisa was educated here, and died A. D. 
1086. Act. ss. p. 108. 

Clonleigh. — North of Lifford on the river Foyle, in 
the barony of Raphoe ; St. Columb built the church of 
Cluainleodh, where St. Lugad, One of his disciples, is 

honoured 



108 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

honoured. St. Carnech was bishop and abbot here 
about the year 530, and was succeeded by Cassan, 
whose successor was Massan. Clonleigh, we appre- 
hend, was ancienly called Cruachanligean or Druim- 
ligean. This is now a parish church in the diocess 
of Derry. 

Cluainenach. — An abbey was founded here by St. 
Columb ; Crag his disciple was abbot of it. This is 
now a chapel in Innishowen, three miles north of 
Derry. 

Clonmany. — Situate near the sea ; St. Columb is 
said to have built it ; it was formerly very rich, but 
is now a parish church in the diocess of Derry. 

ConwalL — Near the river S willy, in the barony of 
Kilmacrennan. Fiachry was abbot of Congbail, in 
the territory of Gleann-suilege in Tyrconnel, and of 
Clonard in the county of Meath ; he died about the 
year 587. Annal. Munst. Now a parish church. 

Cnodain. — Lies to the north of the river Erne near 
Astrath, in the barony of Boylagh. St. Conan was 
abbot here about the end of the sixth century. Act. 
ss .p. 563. 

Domnachglenne Tochuir. — St. Patrick founded 
this church, and made Maccarthen, brother to 
the Saint of Clogher, bishop of it. This is now 
a parish church in Innishowen, and remarkable for 
the great resort of pilgrims on St. Patrick's day. 
Here is still preserved the Saint's penitential bed, 

and 






OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 109 

and many other ancient monuments of that kind, 
fit objects for the devotion of the pilgrims. The 
church is near to Eas-mac-eirc, the remarkable ca- 
taract of Sliabh Sneachta. 

Donegal — Is situated on a bay, to which it gives 
its name, in the barony of Tyrhugh. A monastery for 
Franciscan friars of the strict observance, was founded 
here in the year 1474 by OdoRoe, son of Nial Garbh 
O'Donnell prince of Tyrconnel, and by his wife 
Fionguala daughter of Connor na Srona O'Brien, 
prince of Thomond. Odo the founder died in 1505, 
Roderic O'Donnell bishop of Derry, who died about 
1550, was interred here ; there was in this house a 
well chosen library; War. Mon. 

At a small distance from the town, the remains of 
this monastery may be seen ; the cloister consists of 
small arches supported by couplets of pillars on a 
basement. In one part are two narrow passages, one 
over the other, about four feet wide, ten long, and 
seven high ; they seem to have been places for depo- 
siting valuable effects in times of danger : the upper 
one is covered with stones laid along the beams of 
stone, that cross it, and the lower one with stones laid 
across on the water; each of them is exactly after the 
Egyptian manner of building ; and in a building over 
it, are plain marks of a regular Roman pediment, 
although some other building had been erected 
against it. 

Drum- 



110 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Dramhome. — On the bay of Donegal, in the ba- 
rony of Tyrhugh. St. Ernon, who was named also 
St. Ernoc, or Mernoc, as we are informed, was ab- 
bot of Druimthnoma ; he died a very old man, about 
the year 640. This house had been a celebrated 
monastery. — Tr. Th. p. 495. Flathertoch O'Mal- 
dory, king of Tyrconnel, was buried here in 
1197. — War. Annal. Drumhome is now a parish 
church. 

Fahan — 8ix miles north-west of Derry, on Lough 
Swilly, in Innishowen. St. Columb founded the 
church of Fathenmura. St. Colman Imromha was 
abbot of Fathenmura. A. D. 637, the abbot St. Kel- 
Iach, the son of Saran, died here. In 716, tradition 
says, that a shower of hail, like silver, fell upon 
Fathen major, as did honey, in great abundance, on 
Fathan minor, and that in Leinster it rained blood: 
Tr. Th. p. 510. 

This noble monastery was richly endowed, and for 
many centuries was held in the highest veneration, as 
well for the reverence paid to St. Muran, to whom 
the great church is dedicated, as for the many monu- 
ments of antiquity, which remained here till destroyed 
after the reformation. Among the few reliques, that 
were preserved, was the book of the Acts of St. Co- 
lumb, written by St. Muran in Irish verse, some frag- 
ments of which still remain; also a very large and 

ancient chronicle, held in great repute, &c, &c. and 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL, m 

the pastoral staff of St. Muran, richly ornamented 
with jewels and gilding, is still preserved by the 
O'Neills : many miracles, it is said, have been wrought 
by it ; and the people of the country, especially the 
family of the O'Neills, take their oaths upon it in the 
decision of controversies. — Act. SS. p. 587. Fahan is 
now a parish church in the diocess of Derry. 

Fanegarah. — A small house, for friars of the third 
order of St. Francis, was built here by M'Ruinifaig. 

Gar ton — Lies two miles west of Kilmacrennan, 
where St. Columb founded a monastery, which is 
now a parish church in the diocess of Raphoe. 

liUfotkuir. — An abbey was founded here, for 
monks of the Cistertian order, A. D. 1194, by 
O'Dogherty ; it was a daughter of the abbey of 
Asrhoe, and in process of time was united to it. — 
Allemande. 

Inver, — On the sea-shore, in the barony of Boy- 
lagh and Bannagh, and five miles east of Killibeggs. 
St. Natalis, who died A, D. 563, was abbot of 
Inbhernaille in Tyrconnel, and also of Kilnaille in 
Breftiny, and of Daminis, or Devenish. A small 
monastery was founded here, in the fifteenth cen- 
tury, for friars of the third order of St. Francis, 
and probably on the very site of the ancient abbey 
of St. Natalis : it was granted by King James I. to 
James,Viscount Clandeboys, who assigned to Arthur, 

Lord Chichester. 

InniskeeL 



112 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Inniskcel, — An island lying off the barony of 
Boylagh and Bannagh. St. Conald Cod was abbot 
of Inniscoel, and is honoured here on the 12th of 
May : St. Dalian wrote a work in his praise ; he was 
killed by pirates about the }'ear 590, and was interred 
with his friend : his festival is held on January the 
29th. Here is a celebrated well, which, with the 
church, is dedicated to St. Conald, and yearly visited 
by a great concourse of pilgrims, on the 12th of 
May.— -Butler's Journey. 

Inis Samar, — An island in the bay of Donegal, at 
the mouth of the river Erne. There seems to have 
been a religious house on this island, for we find that 
Flaherty O'Maoldorc, King of Conall, or Tyrconnel, 
Innishowen, and of the districts of Easdara. and 
Loughgelle, having renounced the cares of the world, 
and dedicated himself to heaven, died in this island 
in the year 1197. — Annal. Munst. 

This little island is a very few yards broad, ancr 
not more than about fifty long. No trace of a reli- 
gious house. 

Kilbaron* — On the bay of Donegal, in the barony 
of Tyrhugh. St. Columb founded the church of Kil- 
bharrind, near Earruadh. Barrind, who flourished 
about the year 590, gave his name to this church, 
and was bishop of it, and also of DruimcuUin: it is 
now a parish church in the diocess of Raphoe. — 
Lib. Visit. 

Kikhartaich, 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 113 

Kilchartaich. — St. Cartach was bishop of Killen, 
now called Kilchartaich, about the year 540: his fes- 
tival is observed on the fifth of March. This church 
was situated in Tirboguin, a territory in Tyrconnel, 
and is supposed to be Kilcar, which is now a parish 
church, in the diocess of Raphoe. — Act. SS. p. 474, 

Killibeggs. — A seaport and borough town, in the 
barony of Boylagh and Bannagh. A small house was 
built here, for friars of the order of St. Francis, by 
Mac Swine-banning. — Allemande. 

Kilmacrennan, — On the river Glannan, though 
now a poor depopulated town, gives name to the 
barony. 

St. Columb founded an abbey here, which was richly 
endowed ; and O'Donnell founded a small house here, 
probably on the site of the ancient abbey, for friars of 
the order of St. Francis : the present church is sup- 
posed to be part of the friary; over the door is a 
mitred head in relievo. Near to this town is a rock, 
on which the O'Donnells, princes of Tyrconnel, 
were always inaugurated. — War. Annal. 

The church bears no appearance of having been 
part of the friary. On minute enquiry I found, that 
about a hundred yards north of the church, the re- 
mains of the walls of some buildings were discovered 
in digging up a soft bottom ; this, most probably, is 
the foundation of the monastery belonging to the 
church, the walls of which are still nearly entire. 

i Rathmellan. 



114 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

M a thmet 11 'an. —Here O'Donnell built a small mo- 
nastery, for Franciscan friars; the walls still visible. 

Lough Dearg. — This famous pilgrimage is in the 
parish of Templecarn, and baron}- of Tyrhugh. On 
this lake there are several islands; the largest is 
called the island of St. Dabeoc, some call it St. Fin- 
tan's island, and others the Island of Saints. — (Rich- 
ardson's Folly of Pilgrimages.) 

In this island was a prior}- of Canons regular, fol- 
lowing the rule of St. Augustin, which was dedicated 
to the saints Peter and Paul, and founded, as some 
say, by the great apostle of Ireland, but others give 
the foundation of it to St. Dabeoc — Annal. Munst. — 
who was also called Mobeoc and Beonan; he was 
brother to St. Canoe, who flourished about the year 
492. St. Dabeoc is patron of this church, where three 
festivals are held to his honour yearly. It had a fine 
chapel, with convenient houses for the monks, the 
remains of which are yet to be seen. One of the St. 
Patricks was prior here about the year 850. — War. 
Mon. 

Notwithstanding the reputed holiness of this cele- 
brated monastery, it was plundered and reduced to 
ashes by Bratachas O'Boyle and M'Mahon, A. D. 
1207, Annal. Munst. John was prior in 1353. — 
Ogvgia. 

St. Patrick's Purgatory, as it is called, was first 
fixed in this island ; but it being near to the shore, 

and 






OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 115 

and a bridge from the main land giving the people a 
free and easy access to it, the cave was closed up, 
and another was opened in a lesser island, about half 
a mile from the shore. 

Some people have given the invention of this pur- 
gatory to the great St. Patrick ; but others, with more 
probability, ascribe it to Patrick, who was prior here 
about the year 850. — War. Mofi. 

The reader will have thought he had enough about 
Lough-dearg ; but the following particulars are worth 
his attention : 

This purgatory continued a long time in repute, 
both at home and abroad: we find in our records 
several safe conducts granted by the Kings of Eng- 
land to foreigners desirous to visit it; and particularly 
in the year 1358, to Maletesta Ungarus, knight; ano- 
ther bearing the same date, to N'cholas de Becca- 
rio, a nobleman of Ferraria — Rymer's Fcedera, T. 6. 
p. 107; and in 1397, one to Raymond, Viscount de 
Perilleux and Knight of Rhodes, with a train of 
twenty men and thirty horses. — Id. T. 8. p. 14. But 
this purgatory must have fallen afterwards into disre- 
pute, for we find, that by the authority of the Pope, 
Alexander VI. (he having considered the same in the 
light of imposition) it was demolished, on St. Patrick's 
day, A. D. 1497, by the father guardian of the Fran- 
ciscans of Donegal, and some other persons of the 
deanery of Lough Erne, who were deputed for this 

1 2 purpose 



116 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

purpose by~-*he bishop. A canon of the prior}- of St, 
Daboec usually resided on the island, for the service 
of the church and pilgrims. — Mon. Hib. p. 103. 

The extent of this island is scarcely three quarters 
of an Irish acre ; the cave of the purgatory is built of 
freestone, and covered with broad flags, and green 
turf laid over them ; in length within the walls, it 
measures sixteen feet and a half, and in breadth about 
two feet and one inch ; when the door is shut no light 
can be discovered, save what enters at a small win- 
dow in a corner, — War. Mon. ; and here the males 
and females do penance together. It was here that 
Carolan, the famous Irish poet and musician, recol- 
lected the feel of a lady r s hand he had been in love 
with twenty years before. In 1630, the government 
of Ireland thought fit to have it finally suppressed, 
and it was accordingly dug up, to the no small dis- 
tress and loss of the R. C. clergy. — War. Annals. 

But in the memory of the oldest persons I ever 
heard speak of it, the resort of pilgrims from all parts 
of Ireland has always been immense : the purgatory, 
if ever dug up, is now rebuilt, and in the middle of 
the summer as devoutly and numerously frequented 
as ever ! 

Movill. — On Lough-foyle, in Innishowen, St. Pa- 
trick founded the monastery of Domnachbile, com- 
monly called Maghbile, and placed there Aengu- 

sius. 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL, in 

sius, the son of Olild. For some time this was in 
high repute, and we meet with the following abbots 
of it; A. D. 590, Finian flourished; 953, Aengus 
M'Loingsy, &c. 

Magheribegg, — Or the little plain, near the town 
of Donegal. A monastery was founded here by 
O'Donnell, about the middle of the fifteenth centmy, 
for Franciscans. — War. Mon. Allemande, 

Mawlin, — On the sea-side in Innishowen. Here 
we find a very ancient church, which is said to 
have been a monastery. — Pococke's Journal, quoted 
by Mon. Hib. p. 103. 

The difference between any church, ancient or 
modern, and a monastery, is too visible for mistaking 
one for the other. 

I met none of this description here: it probably, 
however, is near this old church, or the site of it, that 
a famous pilgrimage is performed, on some certain 
day in summer, at a creek of the sea, which comes in 
among the rocks of Mawlin-head, by dropping a 
great number of beads; some walking on their legs, 
some on their knees, and some stationary, all vehe- 
mently whispering prayers: but the ceremony finishes 
something like the Indian Tamarodee, by a general 
ablution in the sea, male and female, all frisking and 
playing in the water, stark naked, and washing off 
each other's sins. 

MuckisJk 



US STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Muckish — Appears in the map to be four and a 
half miles from the castle of Doe, in the barony of 
Kilmacrennan ; yet Bishop Pococke observes, that 
when he visited that country he could not hear of 
such an abbey. — Mon. Hib. p. 104. There is a huge 
mountain of that name, within the above distance of 
Doe castle and the sea, but no monastery. 

Raphoe,— A small town, which gives name to the 
barony. St. Columb founded an extensive monastery 
at Rathboth, and died in 596. St. Adamnan, abbot 
of Hy, and patron and restorer of this monastery, 
died in 703 ; about which time Raphoe became, and 
continues to be, the seat of a bishop. 

Rathcunga, — In the barony of Tyrhugh. St. Pa- 
trick founded an abbey here, in which St. Assicus, 
and five other bishops, were interred. 

Ratheanich, — In Innishowen. St. Brugach, the son 
of Degad, was bishop of Ratheanich, about the be- 
ginning of the sixth century — Act. ss. p. 501; from 
which time nothing can be learnt about it. 

Rathene. — A church in the diocese of Raphoe and 
commonly called Rathnanepscop. St. Aidglass fixed 
his residence here, where his festival is observed 
on the 16th of February. 

RathmuUin. — A house was built here for Carmelite 

white friars, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary by 

Mac Swme-fannagh. 

Seingleann. 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 1 1 9 

Seingleann — Was a celebrated abbey founded by 
the great St. Columb ; in process of time it became 
a parish church, and is in the diocess of Raphoe. 

Taughboyne. — St. Baithen, the son of Brendan, a 
disciple and kinsman of St. Columb, and his successor 
in the abbey of Hy, founded Teghbaoithin, that is 
the house of -Baithen in Tyrconnel ; this saint flou- 
rished in 584. Taughboyne is now a parish church 
in the diocess of Raphoe. 

Torre island. — An island extremely fertile, situate 
about 8 miles from the main land of the barony of 
Kilmacrennan : there was an abbey here, of which St. 
Ernan, the son of Colman, was abbot, about the year 
650.— Act. SS. p. 17. 

In Torrey island, which is now very infertile, 
being overwhelmed with sand, there are seven 
churches, a great part of the walls of many of them 
up ; here is also a round tower of singular shape, 
being wider in diameter and more conical at top ; 
it also is a place of pilgrimage ; the clay found in 
one of those churches is in profound veneration 
among the vulgar, as a preserver from fire, ba- 
nisher of rats, &c. 

Tullyaugnish — Near Lough Swilly, in Kilmacren- 
nan, Saint Columb founded an abbey at Tulachdub- 
glaisse. Tr. Th. p. 494. It is now a parish church. 

Uskeckaoin — In Innishowen ; an abbey was found- 
ed here by St, Columb, which is now a parish church. 
Tr. Th. p. 495. 

Churches 



120 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Churches, resident clergy, glebes and glebe-houses. 

In the county of Donegal there are 42 parishes* 
43 churches, 25 glebes, and 16 glebe houses; the 
clergy are resident and attentive to their duty. 

The patronage of 3 1 of those parishes, which are 
in the diocess of Uaphoe, is divided between the 
crown, which has the disposal of 6 parishes, the 
bishop who has that of 15, the university of Dublin 
7, and lay hands which dispose of 3. 

The patronage of some parts of the dioceses of 
Derry and Clogher, which extend into this county, 
is distributed in a manner not very dissimilar to the 
above. 

In the small town of Raphoe, there is a very 
neat though not a large cathedral, which serves also 
for a parish church, and the bishop's palace is an 
old but convenient edifice. 



Whether the county has been actually surveyed, when 
and whether the survey is published. 

The county has been actually surveyed, and, it 
is generally thought, extremely well and accurately 

by 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 121 

by Mr. M'Crea a few years ago ; the survey is so 
far. published, that in assizes times it is exhibited 
in the Grand jury room ; it is not as yet engraved, 
but soon will ; Mr. Beaufort has by permission of 
the Grand jury taken a reduced copy of it ; this he 
acknowledges in the notes, which accompany his 
map of Ireland ; this reduced map of Mr. Beaufort's 
shall be affixed to this Report. 



Weights and measures, liquid and dry, in what 
instances are weights assigned for measure, or 

vice versa. 

The dry measures and weights are troy and avoir- 
dupois weights and pecks ; the liquid are pints, gal- 
lons, &c. as throughout Ireland. 

From Ballybofey to the sea, potatoes are gene- 
rally sold by measure, each measure supposed to 
contain 8 stone, but no punishment is annexed to 
fraud. 

Oaten and barley meal is sometimes sold by the 
peck, supposed to contain ten pounds. Those are 
the principal instances, in which measure is substi- 
tuted to weight. 

The 



122 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The weight or measure, by which grain, flour, 
potatoes, butter, Kc. are sold. 

All by avoirdupois weight. The custom was of 
selling oats by measure, but it is quite abolished. 

Baron Pynnar's Survey of Donegal. 

It may not be incurious, after the division and 
plantation of the six escheated counties of Ulster, 
among British and Scottish undertakers by King 
James I., to see a sketch of a survey of those plan- 
tations, taken by Captain Nicholas Pynnar, b}' order 
of that Prince, in 1618, for the purpose of seeing if 
the conditions were performed by the settlers. 

These conditions were reported by him, to have 
been so miserably defective, as to have given 
strength enough to the adverse party, to commence 
a desperate rebellion in a few years afterwards. 

Harris's Hibernica, p. 92. 



COUNTY 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL 123 



COUNTY OF DONEGAL, 



The precinct of Boy lag h and Bannagh, allotted to 
Scottish undertakers. 



John Murray, Esq. hath 10,000 acres, being all 
Boylagh and Bannagh, planted as follows : — 

The Lady Brombe was the first patentee, 2000 acres. 

Captain Thomas Dutton, 2000 acres, called Rosses, 
but newly come into it, and not assurance from 
Mr. Murray- 
Sir Patrick Mc. Ke first patentee — John Murray, 
Esq. hath 1000 acres, called Cargie. 

Patrick Vaus first patentee — John Murray hath 1000 
acres called Boilagh-outra : this is set to"Wm. 
Hamilton, Gent., and to some others^ 

William Stewart first patentee — John Murray, Esq. 
loath 1500 acres, called Dunconally. James 
Toddy and others have taken this for some years* 

Alexander 



124 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Alexander Dunbar first patentee — John Murray, Esq. 
hath 1000 acres, let to Rowland Cogwell and 
others, called Kilkeran. 

The Lady Broughton first patentee — John Murray, 
Esq. hath 1000 acres, called Ballagh-eightra, all 
inhabited by Irish. 

Alexander Conyngham hath 1000 acres, called Moy- 
nagan, from the said John Murray. 

Jas. M'Cullogh hath 1000 acres, called Mullaghveh. 



Precincts of Portloiigh, appointed to Scottish 
undertakers. 

John Conyngham, 1000 acres, called Donboy. 

James Conyngham, 1000 acres, called Moyah. 

Sir James Conyngham, 2000 acres, called Decas- 
trose, and Portlogh. 

Cuthbert Conyngham, 1000 acres, called Dromagh, 
or Cool Mc. Treen. 

William Stewart, Laird of Dunduff, 1000 acres, 
called Coolaghie. 

Alexander M'Awley, alias Stewart, 1000 acres, called 
Ballyneagh. 

Laird 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 125 

Laird of Lusse, 1000 acres, called Corgagh. 

Sir John Stewart, 3000 acres, called Cashel, Ketin, 
and Littergull. 

Sir John Stewart, aforesaid, 1000 acres, called Liss- 
molmoghan. 

Precinct of Lifer, allotted to English undertakers. 

Peter Benson, 1500 acres, called Shraghmiclar. 

William Wilson, 2000 acres, called Aghagalla. 

Sir Thomas Cornwall first patentee — Thomas Davis 
holdeth from Robert Davis 2000 acres, called 
Corlackin. 

Captain Mansfield hath 1000 acres, called Killene- 
guirdon. 

Captain Russel first patentee — Sir John Kingsmill, 
Knt. hath 1500 acres, called Acarine. 

Sir R. Remington first patentee — Sir Ralph Bingley, 
Knt. hath 2000 acres, called Tonafocies. 

Sir Maurice Bartley, first patentee — Sir Ralph Bing- 
ley hath 2000 acres, called Dromore and Lur- 
gagh. 

Sir T, Coach, Knt. hath 1 500 acres, called Lismongan. 

Sir 



126 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Sir William Bams first patentee — Sir John Kingsmill, 
Knt. and Mr. Wilson, have 1500 acres, called 
Monister. 



Precinct of Kilmacrennan, allotted to Servitors 
and Natives. 

Captain Craiford first patentee — Sir George Marburie 
hath 1000 acres, called Letterkenny. 

Sir J. Kingsmill, Knt. 1000 acres, called Ballamalley. 

Sir W. Stewart, Knt. 1000 acres, called Gortavaghie. 

Sir Basil Brooke, Knt. 1000 acres, called Edonecarne. 

Sir T. Chichester, Knt. 1000 acres, called Radonnell. 

Sir John Vaughan first patentee — John Wray, Esq. 
1000 acres, called Carnegille. 

Arthur Terrie, 2000 acres, called Moyris. 

Captain Henry Harte, 1000 acres, called Ballenas. 

Sir Richard Hansard first patentee — Sir William 
Stewart, Knt. hath 1000 acres, called Ramelton. 

Sir John Vaughan, 1000 acres. 

Captain Paul Gore, 1000 acres. 

Lieutenant Perkins hath 172 acres, called Facker. 

Lieutenant 



OF THE COUNTY OF DONEGAL. 127 

Lieutenant Ellis first patentee — Nathaniel Rowley- 
hath 400 acres, called Loughnemuck. 

Lieutenant Browne first patentee— -Nathaniel Rowley 

hath 528 acres, called Cranrasse. 
i 

Lieutenant Gale first patentee — William Lynn hath 
108 acres, called Caroreagh — and 240 acres, 
called Largaurack. 

Sir Richard Bingley first patentee — Captain Sanford 
hath 500 acres, called Castledoe. 

Sir Mulmorie M'Swine, 2000 acres, called Moynt- 
mellan. 

Mc. Swyne Banagh, 2000 acres, called Leanagh and 
Corragh. 

Tirlogh Roe O'Boyle, 2000 acres, called Carrogh- 
bleagh and Clomas. 

Donnell M' Swine Fame, 2000 acres, called Roindo- 
herg and Caroocomony. 

Walter M'Loghlin M'Swine, 896 acres, called Bally- 
Gany and Ragh. 




STATISTICAL SURVEY 

OF THE 

COUNTY OF TYRONE, 

WITH 

OBSERVATIONS 

ON 

THE MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT ; 

DRAWN UP IN THE YEARS 1801, AND 1802, 
FOR THE CONSIDERATION, AND UNDER THE DIRECTION 

OF 

Cfie Dublin ©octets 

BY 

/0#iV~ M'EVOY. 



PRINTED BY GRAISBERRY AND CAMPBELL, 

NO. IO, BACK-LANE* 
1802. 



TO THE READER, 



This Report is at present printed and circulated 
for the purpose merely of procuring further infor- 
mation 9 respecting the state and husbandry of this 
district, and of enabling every one interested in the 
welfare of this country, to examine it fully, and con- 
tribute his mite to its improvement. 

The Society do not deem themselves pledged to 
any opinion given by the Author of this Survey; 
and they desire, that nothing contained in it be con- 
sidered as their sentiments ; they have only pub- 
lished it, as the report of the gentleman, whose 
name is affixed, and they publish it for the com- 
ments and observations of all persons, which they 
entreat to be given freely, and without reserve. 

It is therefore requested, that the observations on 
reading this work may be returned to the Dublin 
Society, as soon as may be convenient, and which 
will meet with the fullest attention in a future 
edition. 



DEDICATION 



TO THE RIGHT HON. 

LORD VISCOUNT MOUNTJOY. 



MY LORD, 

WERE your Lordfhip's noble father 
alive, gratitude and duty would have required 
that this, my firft efTay, fhould have been offered 
to his protection. He would naturally have been 
looked to, as the fuitable patron for an Agricul- 
tural Survey of the County of Tyrone, to which 
his improvements were fo ornamental, and in 
which his character was fo highly refpe&ed. 

In full confidence, that his virtues will ftill 

accompany his fortune, and that what his tafle 

began, your Lordfhip will bring to perfection, 

a 2 I dedicate 



IV DEDICATION. 

I dedicate this imperfect tribute of my refpect to 
your Lordfliip's patronage, and have the honour 
to fubfcribe myfelf, 

With great deference, 
Your Lordfliip's moll devoted 
Humble fervant, 

JOHN M'EVOr. 



RASH, NEAR OMAGH, 
ISO?. 



PRELIMINARY 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 



A complete Agricultural Survey of a 
county of fuch extent, opulence, and variety, as 
the county of Tyrone, would require a writer of 
much general information and fcientific refearch. 
The only qualifications, which the writer of the 
prefent efTay can pretend to have brought to his 
fubjeft, are, an acquaintance with agricultural 
concerns from his earliefl age, and a local 
knowledge of the county of Tyrone, obtained 
from a refidence in it for many years. 

The author had originally intended to have in- 
troduced in this work feme iketch of the procefs 
of the linen manufacture, but this has been anti- 
cipated in the Survey of the County of Mo- 
naghan, where the foil and management are 
nearly the fame as in this county. 

A botanical arrangement of the indigenous 
plants has been laid afide, as a matter of too 
much magnitude for a work of this kind j but, 

at 



VI PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 

at fome future period, the author hopes to lay it 
before the public in a feparate work. 

For many valuable hints, as to the mode of 
drawing up the Survey, and fuggeftions of ufeful 
and important topics, the author returns his 
grateful acknowledgments to the Right Hon. 
John Fofter. 

What has been faid refpe&ing Lord Mountjoy's 
extenfive demefne and plantations at Ram, in va- 
rious parts of this work, it has been fince thought 
expedient to bring under one general head, in 
the form of an Appendix, that the reader, whofe 
chief object may be that of ornamental improve- 
ments, may have, without interruption, a con- 
nected and perfpicuous view of the whole. 



SUGGESTIONS 



SUGGESTIONS OF ENQUIRY 

I OR, GENTLEMEN WHO SHALL UNDERTAKE THE FORMING OP 

AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS. 



GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES^ 

Situation and Extent, 

Divifions, 

Climate, 

Soil and Surface, 

Minerals, 

Water. 



AGRICULTURE. 

Mode of culture, 

Extent of it, and of each fpecies of grain fowed, 

Courfe of crops, 

Ufe of oxen — how harnefTed, 

Nature and ufe of implements of husbandry, 

Markets for grain, 

Ufe of green food in winter. 



PASTURE, 



riii SUGGESTIONS 

PASTURE. 

Nature of it, 

Breed of cattle — how far improved, 

. how far capable of further improvement, 

Markets or Fairs for them, 

General prices, 

Modes of feeding — how far houfed in winter, 

Natural grafTes, 

Artificial grafTes, 

Mode of hay-making, 

Dairies, their produce, 

Prices of hides, tallow, wool, and quantity fold. 



FARMS. 

Their fize, 

Farm houfes and offices, 

Mode of repairing them, whether by landlord or tenant, 

Nature of tenures, 

General ftate of Ieafes, 

— — of particular claufes therein, 

Taxes or CefTes paid by tenants, 

Proportion of working horfes or bullocks, to the fize of farms, 

General fize of fields, or enclofures, 

Nature of fences, 

Mode of hedge-rows, and keeping hedges, 

Mode of draining, 

Nature of manures. 

GENERAL 



OF ENQUIRY. *i 

GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Population, 

Number and fize of villages and towns, 

Habitation, fuel, food and cloathing of the lower rank — their 
general coll, 

Prices of wages, labour, and provifions, 

State of tithe, its general amount on each article — what arti- 
cles are exempt, and what charged by modus, 

Ufe of beer and fpirits — whether either or which is increasing, 

State of roads, bridges, &c. 

• of navigations and navigable rivers, 

— of fifheries, 

State of education, fchools, and charitable inflitutions, 
of abfentee and resident proprietors, 

— of circulation of money or paper, 
— — of farming or agricultural focieties, 
— of manufactures, whether increafing, 

of encouragement to them, and the peculiar aptnefe of 

the fituation for their extenfion, 

— of mills of every kind, 
of plantations and planting, 

of the effects of the encouragement heretofore given to 
them by the Society, particularifed in the lift annexed. 
of any improvements which may occur for future en- 
couragement, and particularly for the prefervation of 
the trees, when planted, 
— — of nurferies within the county and extent of fales, 

Price 



x SUGGESTIONS, &c. 

Price of timber andftate of it, in the county, 

Quantity of bog and wafte ground, 

Poffibility and means of improving it, 

Obftacles to it and beft means of removing them, 

Habits of induftry, or want of induftry among the people, 

The ufe of the Englifh language, whether general, or how far 

increafing, 
Account of towers, caftles, monafteries, ancient buildings, or 

places remarkable for any hiftorical event, 
Churches — refident clergy, glebes and glebe houfes, 
Whether the county has been actually furveyed, when and 

whether the furvey is publifhed, 
Weights and meafures, liquid or dry — in what inftances are 

weights aligned for meafures — or vice verfd, 
The weight or meafure, by which grain, flour, potatoes, butter, 

&c. are fold. 



CONTENTS 






CONTENTS 



CHAP. I. 



GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Page 
Sect* I . Situation and Extent - i 

2. Divifwns - - - -2 

3. Climate - - - 6 

4. &>// tftf*/ Surface - - "7 

5. Mines and Minerals - - 17 
Cofl/ - - - - 21 
ir0« Or<» - - - - 24 
Clays, fuch as are ufed for brick or pottery 25 

<>. Water - * - - 26 



CHAP. 



■ CONTENTS. 






CHAP. II. 






AGRICULTURE. 




Page 


Sect. 1, Mode of Culture 


- 


29 


Obfervations 


- 


32 


2. Extent of Culture ', and of each Species of 




Grain fowed 


- 


34 


3. Courfe of Crops 


- 


40 


Obfervations 


- 


42 


4. life of Oxen 


- 


44 


5. Nature and Ufe of Implements of Huf- 




handry - 


- 


46 


6. Markets for Grain - 


- 


S3 


7. Ufe of green food in winter - 


"* 


54 


CHAP. III. 






PASTURE. 







SECT. I. Nature of Pa/lure - - - 57 

2. Breed of Cattle — how far improved - 58 
. how far capable of 

further improvement - - 61 

3, Markets and Fairs for Cattle - ib. 

Sect. 



CONTENTS. 




xiii 
Page 


Sect. 4. General Prices 


- 


- 63 


5. Mode of feeding Cattle 


- 


- 64 


Cattle, how far houfed in winter 


- 67 


6. Natural Grajfes 


- 


- 7o 


7. Artificial Grajfes 


- 


- 74 


8. Mode of Hay-making 


- 


- 75 


Obfervations 


- 


- 79 


9. Dairies — their produce 


- 


- 81 


Obfervations 


- 


- 82 


10. Prices of Hides , Tallow, 


Wool, 


and 


ghtantity fold 


- 


- 85 



CHAP. IV. 



FARMS. 



Sect. 1. Size of Farms - - - 90 

2. Farm-houfes and Offices - "95 
Mode of repairing Houfes and Offices, 

whether by Landlord or 'Tenant - 97 

3. Nature of 'Tenures - 99 

4. General State of Leafes - - 1 00 
Of particular Claufes in Leafes - 102 

5. Taxes or CeJJes paid by Tenants - 104 

6. Proportion of working Horfes or Bul- 

locks, to thefze of Farms - ice 

Sect. 



xit CONTENTS- 

Pagc 

Sect. 7. General fize of Fields and Enclofures 106 

8. Nature of Fences - - - 107 
Mode of hedge-rows, and keeping hedges 109 

9. Nature of Manures - - ill 
10. Mode of Draining - - 115 



CHAP. V. 

POLITICAL ECONOMY. 

SECT. I. Roads and Bridges - -118 

1. State of Navigations and Navigable 

Rivers - - - 131 

3. State of Fifheries - - - 134 

4. State of Manufaclures - - 135 

Of encouragement to them, and the pe- 
culiar aptnefs of the fituation for their 
exienfwn - - 137 

Lift of Bleach-greens - 138 

5. Population - * - 142 



CHAP. 



CONTENTS. *cv 



CHAP VI. 



RURAL ECONOMY. 



SECT. I. Prices of Wages, Labour, and Provifions 1 43 
2. Habitation, fuel, food, and clothing of 

the lower rank ; their general cofi 146 



CHAP. VII. 

GENERAL SUBJECTS. 

Sect. I. Number and Size of Pillages &* Towns 158 
1. State of Tithe, its general amount on 
each Article — what Articles are ex* 

empt, and what charged by modus - 16 1 

3. life of Beer and Spirits — whether either, 

or which is encreafing - - 162 

4. State of Education, Schools, and Chari- 

table Inflitutions - - -163 

5. Of abfentee and refident Proprietors - 167 

6. Of Circulation of Money or Paper - 1 7 1 

7. Of Farming or Agricultural Societies ib. 

8. Of Mills &f 'every kind - - 17 2 

b Ssct. 



xvi CONTENTS. 

Page 
Sect. 9. Of Plantations and Planting - - 1 74 

Of the Effetls of the Encouragement here- 
tofore given to Planting by the Society, 
particularized in the Lijl annexed - 178 

Of any improvements, ivhich may occur 
for future encouragement, and particu- 
larly fir the prefervation of Trees when 
planted - - - - 1 8 1 

10; Of Nurferies within the County, and 

Extent of Sales - - 183 

1 1 . Prices of Timber, and State of it in the 

County - - - - - 187 

12. Quantity of Bog and Wafle Ground 1 89 
Poffibility and means of improving it - 190 
Obflacles to improvement, and the bejl 

?neans of removing them - - 197 
13. Habits of indufry, or ivant of induflry 

among the People - - - 199 

J 4. The ufe of the Engli/h Language — whe- 
ther general, or how far increafing 201 

15. Account of Towers, Caflles, Monaf- 

t cries, Ancient buildings, or places re- 
markable for any hiforical event - 202 

16. Churches- — Rftdent Clergy — -Glebes, 

and Glebe-houfes - - .» 3P$ 

Sect. 



CONTENTS. xvii 

Page 
SfiCT. 17. Whether the County has been atlually 

furveyed when and whether the 

Survey is publi/hed - - - 2 06 

1 8. Weights and Meafures, liquid or dry — 

in what injiances are Weights af- 
figned for Meafures — or vice verfa ib, 

19. The Weight or Meafure, by which 

Grainy Flour, Potatoes, Butter, &c. 

are fold - - * - ' - - 207 



APPENDIX. 

An Account of Lord Mountjoy's Improvements at Rafh t 
and the maimer of carrying them into execution, from 
the year 1778, to the prefent time* 

Sect, i . Seminary and Nurfery \ 

2. The general Plan of fettling the greats 

outlines of the Demefne and its appen- 
dages 4 

3. Modes of enclofing 7 
Louth fence - - - - 1I~ 
Sunk fence - - - " l l 
Drains as Fences in boggy andfwampy 

fituations - - - - - 22 

Living 



xviii CONTENTS. 

Page 

Living Fences without a gripe or 

trench - - - - - 24 

Temporary dead Fences, made princi- 
pally of Scotch fir, cut away at thefize 
of eight or ten feet, or when it begins 
to injure plants of more value - - 31 

Common paling of pojl and rail, fiheep- 
hurdles, tefc. - - - - 34 

4. Preparation of the Soils for planting 35 

5. An account of the management of an 

Oak wood, which had been for many 
years on the decline, prior to the year 

I792> 5 2 

6. Of the advantage offowing potatoes, as 

a preparative to affifl thefpeedy growth 
of Plantations, and alfo, for the mofl 
effectual mode of laying down bad lands 
to the greatefl perfeclion - "57 

7. A defer iption of the management of the 

banks of the river at RaJJj, fo far as 

it accompanies the demefne - - 61 

8. An Account of Tq/k, or Piece-work, 

together with a comparifon between 
it and common Day Labour, with 
feme remarks on labouring Tools and 
Implements - - - - 74 

Sect. 



CONTENTS. xix 

Page 
Sect. 9. Manner of training up Boys, fo as to 

become ufeful,Jleady Labourers, with 
a number of ways to employ them to 
the befl advantage the year round* 
Alfo, feveral Modes, by which old 
Men, when partly pajl their labour, 
may be applied to advantage to them- 
f elves and their Employers - - 8 1 
Obfervations with refpeEl to old Men 
and their families — the manner of 
employing them — with remarks on 
an hofpital intended to be eretled for 
their reception - - - - 92 






STATISTICAL 



r 










Se. 






** 




J risk Miles 



I JJ1LW 



STATISf ICAL SURVEY 

OF THE 

COUNTY OF TYRONE 

CHAP. 1, 

GEOGRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCE?. 

Sect, l . Situation and Extent. 

1 HE county of Tyrone is inland, being bounded 
by the county of Donegal on the north, an$i north- 
weft; by the county of Londonderry, on the north, 
and north-eaft; by part of Loughneagh, and the 
county of Armagh, on the eaft ; and by the coun- 
ties of Monaghan and Fermanagh, on the fouth, and 
fouth-weft. 

The county is very irregular, and much pointed 
and indented in its circumference. The greateft ex- 
tent from north to fouth is from Donnelong, on 
the borders of the river Foyle, to Slieve-Beaygh. 
mountain, on the borders of the county of Monaghan, 
being an extent of 33 miles; in Englifh meafure- 

b ment 



a STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ment 42 miles. The greateft length from eaft to 
weft is, from, the borders of Loughneagh, in the 
parifh of Arboe, in the barony of Dungannon, 
to the extremity of the parifh of Farmonomungan, 
joining the counties of Donegal and Fermanagh, 
being in extent 43 miles ; in Englilh meafurement 
54.8 miles. Meflrs. M'Crea's map of the county, 
made out in 1774, 1775* anc * I 77 < ^> an< ^ Dr. Beau- 
fort's memoirs agree perfectly with the above ftate- 
ment. 

According to Dr. Beaufort's ftatement, the accuracy 
of which we have no reafon to fufpecl, the coun- 
ty contains 467,700 acres, and, of courfe, 724 fquare 
miles; in Englifh meafurement 751,387 acres, being 
equal to 11 63 fquare miles. 



Sect. 2. Diviftom. 

The principal divifions are into baronies, namely; 
Barony of Strabane, to the north. 

of Dungannon, to the eaft. 

of Clogher, to the fouth. 

of Omagh, partly to the weft; but a large 

portion of it lies between the baronies of Strabane 
and Clogher, and meets the barony of Dungannon, 
on the eaft. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. | 

The above baronies are divided into parifhes, as 
follows. 

The barony of Strabane contains, 

i. Donaghedy. 

2. Leckpatrick. 

3. Caamus. 

4. Urney; a fmall part in Donegal. 

5. Ardflra. 

6. Upper Bodony. 

7. Lower, do. • 

8. Cappagh. 

9. Cumber; only a fmall part of this in the county. 

The barony of Dungannon contains ', 

1. Liflbn, partly in the county Derry. 

2. Kildrefs. 

3. Derrylorne. 

4. Defertcreat. 

5. Artray. 

6. Ballinderry, partly in the county Derry. 

7. Arboe. 

8. Ballyclog. 

. 9. Donaghendry. 

10. Clannoe. 

11. Tullynifkal, V. 

12. Drumglafs. 

b 2 13. Killymon. 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 

13. Killymon. 

14. Clonfeckle. 

15. Pomeroy. 

j 6. Donaghmore. 

17. Killiftiill. 

18. Aughaloo. 

The bafony of Clogher contains^ 

1. Donacavey, or the parifh of Fintona. 

2. Clogher. 

3. Errigle-Keeran. 

4. Frough, V. partly in the county Mona- 

ghan. 
5. Aghalurcher, partly in Fermanagh* 

The barony of Omagb contains^ 

T-. Farmonmaguirk. 
1. Clougherny. 

3. Dreomragh, or parifti of Omaglr. 

4. Dromore. 

5. Killkeefy. 

6. Longfield, lately divided into two livings- 

7. Farmonomungan. 

Total number ofparijhes. 

Barony of Strabane. 9 parifhes. 

of Dungannon. 18 

Barony of 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 

Barony of Clogher. 5 

' ■ ' of Omagh. 7 



39 in the whole. 

There are only 35 parifhes, properly within the 
county, as only a fmall portion of the remain- 
ing four parifhes are marked within the limits of 
the map of the county. 

Except the parifh of Tullynifkal, and the parifh 
of Errigle-Frough, (both marked V. to denote a 
vicarage) the whole of the parifhes are rectories. 

Eccleftaftical divifton* 

Belonging to the diocefe of Armagh, there are, 
160,500 acres. 
20 parifhes. 

19 benefices. 

20 churches. 

13 glebe-houfes. 
6 glebes, wanting glebe-houfes. 
Belonging to the diocefe of Derry, there are, . 
2 j 3, 1 00 acres. 
11 parifhes. 
11 benefices. 
13 churches. 

b 3 9 glebe- 



6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

9 glebe-houfes. 

2 glebes, wanting glebe-houfes. 
Belonging to the diocefe of Clogher, there are, 
68,000 acres. 

4 parifhes. 

4 benefices. 

5 churches. 

2 glebe-houfes. 

2 glebes, wanting glebe-houfes. 
The total of acres, in the eccleiiaflical riiftricts of 
the county, appear to be 463,700* being 4000 acres 
lefs than the grofs amount of 467,700, which 4000, 
I take for granted, are abbey-land, or fuch lands, as 
are not fubjecl: to tythes. 



Sect. 3. Climate. 

The latitude of a place does not always determine 
the climate ; fo with this county, whofe main latitude 
is about 54f. 

The great variety of foil and furface, throughout 
the county, caufes a great variation in the climate. 
Wefterly winds are moil prevalent the year round ; 
hence follows the great humidity of our air, from 
being fituated fo near the Atlantic Ocean. 

Our autumns are generally very wet, and unfa- 
vourable to the faving of crops of hay and corn. 

November is fbmetimcs a favourable month. 

It 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 7 

It is the inconftancy of the feafons we have moft 
to guard againft ; either extremes are never known 
to be intolerable. 

The times of common occurrences in hufbandry 
are, in a great meafure, determined by the climate. 
Oats are fown from the middle of March to the 
firil of May ; barley during the whole month of 
May ; flax-feed about the fame time. The hay har* 
veil, let the weather be never fo favourable, is gene* 
rally kept too late. 



Sect. 4. Soil and Surface. 

It would be found an endlefs tafk to enumerate 
the great variety of foils and furfaces within the 
county ; the following fketch may, however, be de- 
pended upon. 

The mountainy parts are generally fhallow, wet, 
and four ; in other parts dry, hufky, and peaty, 
the depth feldom exceeding fix inches. In fome pla- 
ces the fubftratum is tenacious, and hence we find 
the tops and fides of mountains generally wet and 
fpongy. In other parts, the fubftratum is a black, 
folid bog, which is equally as tenacious as flrong 
clay foil, and of courfe prevents the water from 
finking, by which means the furface is equally as 

bad 



8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

bad as in the farmer cafe. But where the fubftra- 
tum is open rock, gravel, or any other porous 
body, through which the water may readily pafs, 
the furface is always dry and wholefome, and very 
well calculated for young (lock in fummer. Moun- 
tains of the latter defcription are always j valuable 
to the owners, as they get a better price for feeding 
the flock, which are fent to them generally in May, 
than thofe poflefTed of land of the two firft des- 
criptions ; when the wet mountain lets only at five 
or fix fhillings a fum*> the dry mountain claims ten 
Shillings, and fometimes more. 

Soils of the foregoing defcriptions are peculiar to 
the baronies of Strabane and Omagh; the baronies 
of Dungannon and Clogher are, generally fpeaking, 
of as good a quality of land, as perhaps any in the 
kingdom. A large traft of the weft parts of the 
barony of Dungannon, and of the north part of 
the barony of Clogher, may be ranked with the 
mountainy parts of the baronies of Strabane and 
Omagh. 

The 

* A phrafe moft commonly ufed in this county; a 
cow three years old is a fum ; a two year old and one' 
yearling a fum ; three yearlings a fum ; a horfe is in fome 
parts a fum and a quarter, but is moft commonly a fum. 
A fum y head collop, and balU are fynonimous, according 
to different countries. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 9 

The furface of the whole county is wonderfully 
diverfified, hill and vale being the prevailing cha- 
racler. 

The mountains of the greateft magnitude are in 
the barony of Strabane. The vaft chains of the Mun- 
terloney mountains, ftretching into the county of Derry, 
are the moft confiderable ; Mullaghcairn, or Cairn- 
togher, with Befiy Bell, and Mary Gray, and many 
others are very confiderable. Mullaghcairn is the 
higheft mountain in the county, which I hare prov-r 
cd; the next to it is Knockfowel, part of which 
is in the county of Derry. To the above may be 
added the mountains of Ballygawley, on the weft 
of the barony of Dungannon, and Morley on the 
weft of the barony of Clogher. 

In order to give the reader a more comprehenfive 
view of the foil and furface of the county, I mail 
fet down Omagh, the affize town, as a common 
centre •, and proceed with the principal roads, through- 
out the county, to the extremities of it. But firft, 
I fhall take a circular courfe, which will include 
part of the barony of Omagh, the whole of the 
barony of Clogher, and more than two parts of 
the barony of Dungannon. In the different excur- 
fions, Y the crops ufually followed mall be remarked, 
which will, in fome meafure, give an idea of the 
quality of the foil. 

Between 



io STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Between Omagh and Dromore, diftance about 
feven miles, the lands are, in general, light and 
gentle, very much undulated. In many parts the 
foil inclines to a reddifh colour, a great indication 
of fertility. Potatoes, flax, and oats, are the prin- 
cipal crops ; in fome fpots barley ; about the town 
of Dromore, the foil is not calculated for the lat- 
ter. Limeftone is fcarce *, but as far as lime has 
been tried, it has been found to anfwer extremely 
well. Vaft quantities of allies are made from the 
peaty foils, which are in this direction tolerably 
plenty, though the bogs are not numerous or ex- 
tenfive. 

Limeftone is not found nearer to Dromore than 
the parifh of Longfield, which abounds in that ar- 
ticle, but the want of good roads renders it pre- 
carious, and of courfe very expenfive. 

From Dromore to Fintona, diftance about five 
miles, light foil ; appears extremely well calculated 
for flieep, as the fubftratum is in general fand and 
gravel, which, of courfe, render the furface found 
and wholefome. Crops ; potatoes, oats, and flax, or 
rather potatoes, flax, and oats in rotation, becaufe 
in few filiations, in this courfe, flax will not anfwer, 
unlefs fown immediately after potatoes, which is 
almoft univerfally the cafe in their mountainy foils. 
Two crops of oats in fuch fituations are ufually 
taken off after flax, which is wrong, as the laft 
crop is frequently not worth reaping. 

Between 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. n. 

Between Fintona and Five-mile-town, diftance about 
feven miles ; about the former, the foil is thin and 
cold, the fubflratum much inclined to flrong tena- 
cious clay. Near this town, a good plan of cutting 
out a bog for prefent economy, and future profit, is 
fpiritedly purfued by Mr. Eccles, which deferves 
particular notice, fince fo good a fyflera, I believe, 
is not to be met with in the county, except near 
Verner's ferry, on the borders of the Black-water, 
which feparates the county of Armagh from this 
county. 

About half way between the above towns is a large 
mountain called Murley, which makes a great and 
ftriking feature in the barony of Clogher. This moun- 
tain affords a great capability for improvement, the 
furface being in general a rich peaty foil, with a fub- 
flratum of reddifli clay mixed with innumerable fmali 
flones. To render this mountain profitable, nothing 
more need be done, than to mix the upper and lower 
foils, which could be performed at little expence, fince 
the fubflratum lies only at a fmall diflance from the 
peat, or rich moor, the depth of which feldom exceeds 
a foot. Nothing can fupport this obfervatfon better 
than the fides of the road through the mountain, 
where the foils were mixed in forming the road from 
the water-tables. The white clover fprings immediately, 
with many other ufeful grafles. This circumflance is 
not peculiar to this diflricTt ; it is common throughout 

many 



12 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

many of our mountains, but the effects are here molt 
confpicuons ; though I could not difcover the leaft 
particle of limeflone-gravel, which abounds in almoft 
the whole of the low-lands in this barony, and which 
I (hall prefently take notice of. 

In the flat country, below this mountain, which is 
rich and extenftve, the foil is capable of producing as 
good crops as any part of the kingdom ; generally a 
deep foil, abounding 'frith limeflone and limeflone- 
gravel, but the latter is but very fparingly attended to. 
The general crops are potatoes, barley, oats, and flax, 
and the rotation of them is moft commonly as here fet 
down, with this difference, that two or three fucceffive 
crops of oats are taken after barley -, but here this fy£ 
tern is more pardonable, than in the foils of the county 
in general. Some patches of wheat are to be met in 
the barony of Clogher, the culture of which might be 
extended to a large fcale, as the foils, in general, of 
this neighbourhood are peculiarly fuited to that grain. 

From Five-mile-town to Clogher, diftance about 
five miles ; foil remarkably good for grafs and corn ; 
abounds with limeflone and limeflone-gravel. 

From Clogher to Augher, diftance about two miles ; 
foil fhallow, and inclining to a reddifh hue j limeflone 
fcarce *, crops, potatoes, flax, and oats. 

From Augher to Aughnacloy, by Killybrick, &c , 
diftance about fix miles ; foil fhallow, inclining to clay, 
very tenacious ; crops, chiefly potatoes and oats, fome 

flax, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 13 

flax, but not abundant. Though the foil about Killy- 
bricfc and Favoroyal is, in general, cold, wet, and mal- 
low, yet timber trees, in general, fucceed very well. 
Some patches of barley about Aughnacloy •, but this 
grain is not much favoured by the foil of this neigh- 
bourhood. 

From Aughnacloy to Callidon, diftance about fix 
miles ; all gentle fwells and fertile vales ; abundant 
crops of hay, oats, barley, potatoes, flax, and fome 
rye j foil inclining to red, and, in many parts, abounding 
with limeftone and limeflone-g ravel ; fome marie to be 
met with in the fertile vales. 

From Callidon to Benburb, diftance about fix miles 
along the Blackwater, and on to Blackwater town, 
which lies principally in the county of Armagh. In 
moil part of thofe diftricts the foils are fertile and well 
calculated to every kind of grain peculiar to the coun- 
ty, and, perhaps, to the kingdom, if judicioufly ma- 
naged. The exertions of Doctor Richardfon, of Clon- 
feckle, near Blackwater-town, in the line of farming, 
particularly on green crops, fully (hew what the fertile 
foils of the major part of the barony of Dungannon 
are capable of producing. 

From Blackwater-town to the Moy, Dungannon, 
&c. is beautiful and fertile, almoft beyond defcription. 
Every kind of crop fucceeds well, when the weather is 
at all favourable, as the fault of a bad crop can never 
be imputed to the foil; I wifh the fame obfervation 
would hold good with refpecl to good management. 

From 



M STATISTICAL SURVEY 

From Dungannon to Coal-ifland, and along the ca- 
nal towards Vemer's ferry, &c. ; foil in general thin 
and poor •, fcanty crops of potatoes and oats. 

Again, from Dungannon to CookVtown, StewartV 
town, Sec. ; foils in general deep and fertile ; gene- 
rally produce every kind of grain and vegetable, pecu- 
liar to the county, in great abundance. Very few hills 
or mountains of any magnitude are within a confidcr- 
able diftance of Dungannon, particularly in the direc- 
tion of CookVtown, Stewart's-town, Tullyhog, &c. 

From Dungannon almoft the whole way to Six-mile- 
crofs, diftance about fifteen miles ; almoft. a continued 
fcene of dreary bog and mountain. And again, from 
the latter village to within two or three miles of 
Omagh, an extended flat bog, of feveral thoufand 
acres, which is fuppofed to be the moil: extenfive in 
the county ; I am fure it is the mod unprofitable, and, 
from its fituation, the mofl difficult to be improved. 

Here ends a circle through part of three baronies. I 
fhall now proceed upon the different roads leading 
from Omagh through moft parts of the county. 

From Omagh to Ballygawley, diftance about twelve 
miles ; potatoes, flax, and oats ; very thin, light foils. 
The fame may be faid from Ballygawley to Dungan- 
non, diftance about ten miles. 

To Augher and Clogher, diftance twelve miles ; foil 
and furface nearly the fame as on the Ballygawley 
road, and, of courfe, {o are the crops. 

To 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. ij 

To Fintona, diftance from Omagh about fix miles ; 
foil in general good, dry, and much undulated ; pro- 
duces, in general, good and certain crops. 

To Drumquin, Derg, and Clady, the latter about 
twenty miles diftance from Omagh. Except within 
two miles of the town of Omagh, the whole of this 
courfe exhibits nothing but one continued fcene of 
dreary mountain ; though the country for feveral miles 
round Drumquin was, not more than forty years ago, 
very well wooded, the remains of which are ftill vifible» 
It is a foil, in general, peculiarly adapted for planting, 
both for aptnefs of foil, fituation, and eafe in inclofing. 

To Newtown-flewart, diftance feven miles •, the 
whole way an indifferent foil, thin, fubftratum ftrong 
and tenacious. Much bog and mountain occur in this 
direction, on both fides of the river. Between Omagh, 
and the north part of the demefne of Ram, there are 
large tracts of excellent feeding-land, along the river 
on either fides. Except fome fpots about Newtown- 
ftewart, there is little or no good land along the 
banks, the whole of the way to Strabane, except fome 
trifle on the weft fide of the river, near that town. 
The banks in many parts are fteep, and of very little 
value, except for planting, for which purpofe they are 
extremely well calculated. 

From Omagh to Gortin, diftance about feven miles. 
Near Omagh a bog of feveral hundred acres, which 
will in time be of great advantage to that town : at 

prefent 



i6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

prefent it is in a bad ftate, but is, however, very capa- 
ble of being improved, which, no doubt, will fhortly 
be the cafe. Good roads is the firft ftep towards the 
improvement of bogs, in which the bog under con- 
fideration is not deficient: fome excellent roads are 
made, and others are in contemplation. 

The remainder of the way to Gortin, except about 
two miles through Lord Mountjoy's improvements, is 
nothing but a continuation of rocky and barren moun- 
tain, romantic and pi&urefque to the higheft degree. 
In moft of thofe rocky features there are fertile veins, 
where timber-trees, fuch as beech, larch, and Scotch 
fir, would flourifti apace. 

At Gortin, or rather over the village as you go from 
Omagh, there is a molt extenfive view of many of the- 
Munterloney mountains. The village of Gortin may 
be confidered the capital of this immenfe region. Be- 
fore the woods were cut down, the fcenes about Gor- 
tin muft have been truly picturefque, and efpecially the 
banks of the rivers and brooks, which fituations the 
wood chiefly occupied. Very little wood at prefent to 
be feen in this part of the country, except the woods 
of Carrick, the property of Lord Mountjoy, which are 
in a very flourifhing ftate, and kept in the higheft de- 
gree of prefervation. But to return from this digref- 
fion ; 

From Omagh to Green-caftle, Cook's-town, &c; 
almoft the whole way is bog and mountain. In ap- 
proaching 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 17 

preaching CookVtown, however, the foil mends con- 
fidently, and the magnitude of the mountains dimi- 
nilhes. The lands every where about CookVtown are 
of a good quality, and produce abundant crops ; the 
town-parks, with the approaches to them from the 
main ftreet, are well imagined, and very judicioufly 
laid out. 

To enter into a minute detail of the great variety of 
foils in this county, would require a large volume; 
and, after all, perhaps, fufficient juftice might not be 
done in point of accuracy, fince it is well known, that 
there are many parifhes in the county, fully defcriptive 
of all I have here endeavoured to explain, and which, 
I candidly confefs, is far from the degree of juflice the 
fubjeel deferves. 



Sect. £. Mines and Minerals. 

If, under the head Mines and Minerals, we include 
lime, and other fpecies of ftone, we mall find this 
county very rich in many ; but as lime and freeftone 
are of the moft general ufe, I fhall confine my obfer- 
vations to them. But, before I proceed any further, I 
beg leave to remark, that, in making furveys of coun- 
ties, or of large diftrifts, the fituations of limeftone 
quarries fhould be marked upon the map of the furvey. 

e Thefe 



a STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Thefe remarks might be further extended ; good free- 
fone quarries might be noted, marie, &c. Such ob- 
servations by the furveyor, which could not take up 
much time, would be found of great advantage, in 
pointing out thofe hidden treafures. Clofe invefliga- 
tions of thofe fubjec*ts may materially ferve to (hew the 
landlord the true value of his proper ty* Many other 
advantages would remit from this kind of fpeculation, 
which at prefent I mull: omit to fet forth, and proceed 
to mew the fituation of fome of the principal quarries 
and maflfes of lime and freeftone. 

In the barony of Strabane, there are the following 
lime and freeftone quarries, with many others of lefsr 
note. 

At Lifnagir and Lifnacannan, near Lord Mountjoy's 
demefne, and about a quarter of a mile weft of the 
poft-road, are two excellent limeftone quarries of great 
extent, and peculiarly calculated for the improvement 
of land, of which his Lordfhip's tenants are thoroughly 
fenfible, fince they carry it fix or eight miles to differ- 
ent parts of the cftate. 

Mary Gray mountain, eaft of the river Struel, and 
within a mile of the town of Newtown -fte wart, 
abounds with limeftone of a good quality; and the 
quarry is fo circumftanced, that it can never be an- 
noyed by water, which is of fmgular advantage in 
the working of any quarry. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 19 

The Gallions, between Newtown-ftewart and Du- 
glafs-bridge, are very rich in limeftone, which is al- 
lowed to be of the beft quality for building of any in 
the county. 

The above quarries, with others more inferior, are 
upon the Newtown-ftewart eftate, the property of 
Lord Mountjoyj and alfo two celebrated freeftone 
quarries, one at Cofeik, within three miles of New- 
town-ftewart, and the other at Tallynure, on the river 
Struel, within a fmall diftance of the demefne of Rafti. 
To the former quarry a great part of the building of 
Baron's-court, for cut ftone, was indebted. At Du- 
glafs, on the eaft fide of the Struel, and at the Suine, 
on the weft fide of the fame river, are excellent free- 
ftone quarries, capable of being moulded into any 
fhape ; the latter fupplied Baron's-court buildings with 
a great quantity of cut ftone. 

At Ruikey, within a mile or two of Dunnymanagh, 
there are immenfe quarries of limeftone, extending a 
great length along a rivulet. This chain of limeftone 
appears to be connected with the great limeftone 
quarry called the Butterloop, in the midft of the Mun- 
terloney mountains, which I fhall, in another place, 
have an occafion to fpeak of. 

In the barony of Dungannon, about CookVtown and 
Stewart's-town, limeftone is in great abundance, and 
alfo about Dungannon, and in many other parts, par- 
ticularly at Benburb, whofe quarries appear inexhauf- 
c 2 tible. 



20 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

tiblc. I have obferved a chalky fubftance to adhere to 
much of the limeftone about Cook's-town, which does 
not render it the worfe for either manure or cement.- If 
the ftone be broken very fmall, and applied to land, 
it is found to anfwer very well without calcination. 
Here, and throughout a great part of this baron y, 
limeftone is burned with culm, or fmall coal, inftead 
of turf. At Benburb, culm generally fells at 1 8/. by 
the ton, and the lime-meafure here is thirty-two gal- 
lons, which is commonly fold at is. i\d. per meafurc 
roche, or unflacked. 

This barony is by no means deftitute of freeftone, 
which is fully demonftrated by the towns of Dungan- 
non, CookVtown, &c. 

The barony of Omagh is not very rich in limeftone j 
the principal quarries are in the parifh of Longfield, 
which are inexhauftible, as are alfo quarries of free- 
ftone of an excellent quality. The mofl part of the 
county is fupplied with mill-ftones from the rocky 
mountains about Drumquin, in this parifti. Mill-ftones 
are feldom got in regular quarries in this neighbour- 
hood; they generally are hewn out of fingle detached 
rocks. Mountain or grit-ftone is beft calculated for 
mill-ftones. 

About Clogher, and many parts of the manor 
of Aughentaine, and alfo about Ballygawley, both 
in the barony of Clogher, are very rich in limeftone. 

Freeftone 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. ai 

Freeftone does not appear to be plenty, or of a good 
quality, in this barony. 



Coal. 



Coal-ifland, in the barony of Dungannon, is the 
only part of the county, where coal- works are carried 
on with any degree of fuccefs. When I faw the col- 
liery in the fummer of 1800, five pits were working, 
feemingly very induftrioufly. There is no fire-engine- 
here, nor does it appear, that the works are much im- 
peded by water. There appears, however, to be a 
great want of encouragement to this bufinefs : the ca<- 
nal at prefent is in a wretched flate, choaked up witl). 
mud and weeds. The approaches, alfo, to the colliery 
might be materially improved, of which they ftand in 
great need. 

Near Cook's-town fome coals were raifed; but, 
from the fituation, I am apt to believe, they mufl al- 
ways be attended with much expenfe. Near the town 
of Dungannon fome pits were funk, and, I believe, 
fome years ago much coal was raifed. Here a fire 
or fleam-engine was erected in the fummer of 1800; 
a pit was then finking in the new town of Dungannon, 
or very convenient to it, from the fituation of which 
there is much to be apprehended, from water annoying 
the work. 

Within 



22 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Within two miles of Drumquin, in the barony of 
Omagh, there appear ftrong indications of a rich coal- 
mine, fituated, I believe, on Mr. Godfrey's eftate, ad- 
joining fome church-land belonging to the fee of Der- 
ry. In May 1800, I fpent fome time there on fpe- 
culation. 

Tradition fays, that a water-fpout had, many years 
ago, fallen on the fpot, where the coal now appears ; 
no doubt, defigned by providence for the good of 
mankind. Through time, and in confequence of the 
impreffion made by the great body of water, which the 
fpout produced, a fmall brook took place, which at 
this time is funk upwards of one hundred feet ; fuch 
is the yielding quality of the foil of the mountain, 
-where this phenomenon was fuppofed to have hap- 
pened. 

It appears to me, that finking a few pits, or 
fhafts, backwards in the mountain, would be the 
moft likely way to afcertain the depth of the flra- 
tum of coal ; and, if the thicknefs of the mine was 
found fufficient to be at the expence of following it, 
inflead of finking fhafts in the ufual way, the work 
might be carried on from the face of the bank, at 
the furface of the ftream, where the coal appears, 
accompanying the water, in a continued layer, from 
nine to eighteen inches thick, flill encreafing in thick- 
nefs, as it advances, in a direction nearly horizontal, 
rather rifing , which is a good omen. 

There 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 23 

There is a large fcope of the ftratum vifible, per- 
haps between three or four hundred feet, before it 
difappears. From this circumflance there is reafon 
to fuppofe it runs horizontal, or nearly fo, through- 
out the mountain, or perhaps throughout all the 
mountains in this part of the country. 

Part of Lough Erne is within eight or nine miles 
of this place, in a ftraight line. A canal carried 
circling round the mountains, in the beft line for a 
canal, probably might be double that diftance. 

It is faid, that the waters of Lough Erne are 
higher than the neighbourhood of the coal mine; 
this, however, might be proved. From the great 
number of brooks throughout this mountainy country, 
it is very probable, that a plentiful fupply of water 
might at all feafons be procured ; but this point 
mould be well afcertained, before an undertaking of 
this kind mould be fet on foot. 

A perfon, {killed in Canal works, might be appointed 
to take the levels, examine the nature of the foil, 
afcertain the quantity of water, that might be procured 
from the rivulets and brooks in the fummer fcafon, 
with other ufeful points hecefTary to be known. The 
expence attending all this would be found but trifling, 
when compared to the many advantages, which might 
follow from fuch an undertaking. 

There are evident figns, of this country abounding 
in iron ore 5 and fuch a colliery as the above, if it 

mould 



24 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

mould be found to anfwer, would, no doubt, encour- 
age the fearching for mines. 

The quality of the coal is excellent, having been 
tried by feveral. I have tried it myfelf, and found it 
to agree with the favourable reports I have had from 
others. 

The following accounts I have had from Mr. O'Neil, 
an old refident of Drumquin, whofe veracity I have 
no reafon to fufpect. That fome years ago he had 
been examined by Mr. Camac, a well known enter- 
prizing gentleman in the mineral kingdom, refpecting 
this bufinefs ; that a Scotch engineer had taken the 
levels, and in fome meafure afcertained the whole ex- 
pence to be about twelve thoufand pounds, the diflance 
of the line, propofed for the canal, to the neareft 
point of Lough Erne, to be about twelve miles ; that 
in a fevere winter, which happened fome years ago, 
and when it was difficult to procure turf, the Rev. 
Mr. Daniel, of the parifli of Longfield, ufed the 
coal in queftion, in common, throughout hjs houfe. 



Iron Ore. 

* 

From the fulphureous and ferruginous appearances 
of water in many parts of this county, there is reafon 
to apprehend, that iron mines might be procured in 
large quantities ; but the want of the neceilary fuel 

for 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 25 

for fmdting, either wood or coals, render this article of 
no value, even if found on the furface in ever fuch 
large quantities. Canals might, in a great meafure, 
remedy this, as by them the ore might be conveyed 
convenient to coal, fince wood is out of the queftion, 
and of courfe will be fo for many years to come. 

It is commonly reported, that iron flones have been 
found, through the mountains of Munterloney, which 
have been worked into good iron in common forges ; 
but this wants confirmation. 



Clays j fuch as are ufed for Brick or Pottery, 

In treating of foils in general, perhaps the article, 
C/ay, might be brought in with fome propriety ; but 
confidering, how unequal pure clays are to the pur- 
pofes of vegetation, without the afliftance of other 
foils, I prefume a feparate difcuffion may not be 
thought improper in this place. 

Almoft every parifh and town-land affords clay ca- 
pable of making bricks of various colours, but the 
pale brick is deemed the mofl durable. 

About Fintona, in the barony of Clogher, good floor- 
ing and ridge tiles are made ; garden pots, and a great 
variety of crockery ware for country ufe. The beft 
pottery in the county, and perhaps in the kingdom, 
is within a mile of Coal-ifland, on the road to Ver- 



26 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ner's ferry, in the barony of Dungannon. Here are 
manufactured all forts of rough crockery ware, fire 
bricks, and tiles for malt and oat-kilns, of as good a 
quality as any imported. 

The clay, before it is baked, is of a dirty white ; the 
beft of it is made into fmall oblong pieces, of about a 
pound each, which is dried to the fun, and fold on the 
fpot at a penny each. It is ufed as a fubftitute for Ful- 
lers earth, for cleaning leather breeches, &c. For this 
purpofe it is fent to many diflant parts, and brings a 
profitable return. 



Sect. 6. Water. 

There are few counties in the kingdom better 
fupplied with water, than this county. The Black- 
water accompanies it for upwards of thirty miles, 
dividing it from the counties of Monaghan and Ar- 
magh for the whole length of that courfe, and at 
length falls into Lougneagh at Maghery. 

The principal river is nearly central in the county, 
and goes under various names ; the part of it, which 
lies above, or, to the fouth of Omagh, and fomewhat 
north of the town, goes by the name of Cammon, or 
Camaun. From thence to Newtown-flewart, it goes by 
the name of Struel, which appears to be newly coined. 

Betweea 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 27 

Between Newtown-ftewart, and Strabane, and fo on to 
Lifford, it goes by the ancient name, the Mourne •, and 
from thence forward to Londonderry, by the general 
name of the river Foyle. 

In its progrefs through the county it receives fome 
confiderable rivers, and brooks, or, as they are here 
called, burnes, innumerable, as every mountain produ- 
ces its part of a brook, and almoft all the brooks in 
the county ultimately join the river Mourne. 

At Omagh, or a little to the eaft of it, two confider- 
able rivers meet, namely, Drumragh, and a mountainy 
river; in the neighbourhood of this junction, I fuppofe 
the name Cammon is affumed, the word being derived 
from crookednefs, or fudden bends, which here occur 
frequently. Below Omagh, about two miles, the Poa, 
or the Fairy water joins. Near Newtown-ftewart, two 
confiderable rivers fall in, namely, the Gortin, and 
Glinnelly rivers, the junction of which is at Corick 
woods, about three miles eaft of Newtown-ftewart. At 
Ardftra, the river Derg joins ; and below Strabane 
near Lifford, comes in the river Fin, which divides 
this county from that of Donegal, as far as the village 
of Clady. 

The lakes of this county are poor and infignificant, 
if we except Loughneagh, which only mears a fmall 

portion of it j the lakes at Baron's-court feem to be 
the largeft, and are by far the moft interefting in 

the county, as being, or compofing part of the 

Marquis 



2$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Marquis of Abercorn's demefne, and which at moft 

feafons of the year appear to great advantage. 

A fmall lake at Augher, in Sir William Richard- 
fon's demefne, is beautiful, and happily circumftanced. 
There are feveral fmall lakes, or rather pools, in the 
baronies of Dungannon, Clogher, and Omagh, but 
very few in the barony of Strabane; I believe there 
are not more than two or three in the latter barony. 5 
at leaft, I do not recollect any more, 



CHAP- 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 29 



CHAP. II. 



AGRICULTURE* 



SECT. i. Mode of Culture* 

FROM the great variety of the foils of this 
COtmty, it muft follow that there are Various modes 
of culture. 

I believe there are not better potatoe and flax farmers 
in the kingdom, than thofe of Tyrone in general are ; 
the only branches of hufbandry they excel in, or have 
any pretenfions to. And, though we feldom find large 
trails of potatoes together, yet we meet with innumer- 
able fmall patches throughout the county, in many 
parts almoft up to the fummits of the higheft moun- 
tains. This is a ftrong indication of the populoufneft 
of the county. 

The fame obfervation holds good with refpecl: to 
flax, as it is as common for the poor man to have a 
lot of the latter, as of the former, fince without both 
he could not exift. It muft, however^ be remarked, 

that 



3 o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

that there are many mountainy fituations, which may 
anfwer for potatoes, where flax would have no chance; 
in fuch, oats always follow potatoes, as there barley 
would not fucceed. It is an old remark, that, " where 
barley thrives, flax is fure to fucceed after it." 

Oats are moft commonly fown on one ploughing, 
which is performed fometimes before, but molt com- 
monly after Chriftmas-, but this mode is obferved only 
in good barley foils, and moft commonly after it, and 
fometimes after flax. In mountainy foils, where oats 
follow potatoes, as has been already obferved, plough- 
ing never takes place till immediately before the time 
of fowing. 

Twenty Hone is the ufual allowance of oats to the 
plantation acre (I always mean the plantation acre), 
which generally returns eight barrels, of eighteen flone 
to the barrel. Sixty ftooks, of twelve fheaves to the 
ftook, are reckoned a good crop for an acre to pro- 
duce ; and, when fodder is at a reafonable rate, the 
value of the ftraw is about thirty ftiillings, but it is 
moft commonly higher. The ftraw is confidered to be 
equal to the expence of ploughing, harrowing, reap- 
ing, and making up. 

As, in good land, flax generally fucceeds oats, two 
ploughings are always given •, the firft before or after 
Chriftmas, and the fecond juft before the time of fow- 
ing. Forty gallons is the ufual allowance for an acre, 
and one-fixth lefs for a Cunningham or Scotch acre; 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 31 

the latter being the common meafure, by which the 
farmers regulate all the land let to poor cottiers, in the 
corn-acre way (a phrafe, ufually underftood in this 
country to denote a yearly take, or letting the land 
only for one crop), though the farmer hknfelf may rent 
his land by the plantation acre. This is a grievance on 
the poor, which certainly fhould be redreffed. 

It is very common to fow flax after barley, when 
the land is not in good heart ; and, in fuch cafes, the 
fucceeding crop is oats, and then the land is fuffered to 
reft for three or four years in a flate of nature, moft 
commonly without afTiflance from grafs-feeds of any 
fort. 

Potatoes are generally planted on lea-land, plough- 
ing for them being very feldom pracYifed, efpecial- 
ly by the poorer clafs ; but this practice is chiefly 
confined to the baronies of Strabane and Omagh, 
which, I dare fay, are equal to two-thirds of the whole 
county. The farmer finds great advantage in giving 
rough ground to the cottier, who muft either put up 
with it, or want. When the land is ploughed, and 
fbfficiently pulverifed, the crop is generally double 
that produced, in the ufual way of planting on the lea. 
However, though the poor man may be much forely 
diftreiTed, by being every year obliged to plant rough 
land at the farmers option, yet the community at large 
reap the benefit of it, as land is fooner gained, and 
brought into a profitable courfe of cultivation. 

The. 



3* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The induftry, with which the poorer clafs fet about 
collecting manures, is mofl praife- worthy -, a full ac- 
count of which fhall be given in its proper place, 
under the article Manures, Which fee. 

Obfervations on the foregoing Sefiion. 

In lea ground, two fucceffive crops of potatoes 
would be found of more general advantage than one. 
To the owner of the land, perhaps, in fome cafes, one 
crop only may be more for his interefl, as he will have, 
of courfe, more rough ground brought into culture, than 
he could have by taking off two fucceffive crops. If 
the foil be flrong, and difficult to pulverize, two pota- 
toe crops fhould certainly be preferred, without an in- 
tervening crop. 

But the farmers of this country are remarkably fond 
of barley crops, as they are always a ready money arti- 
cle > indeed they are frequently bought up by private 
diflillers, feveral months before they are reaped ; thif 
temptation frequently fuperfedes every other folid ad- 
vantage. 

Half the quantity of manure, ufed for the firfl crop of 
potatoes, will ferve for the fecond, and the latter never 
fail in beiug mofl abundant •, and, if the drill fyflem 
be followed, there will be a great faving of feed and 
labour. 

By 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 33 

By following this fyftem it is very obvious, that the 
quantity of food may be confiderably encreafed, though 
not fo much land may be brought into cultivation in 
the fame fpace of time. I am not, however, perfectly 
clear, but more grain may be obtained, on account of 
the good preparation the land will undergo, by taking 
off two crops of potatoes, than in the ufual way of 
taking only one crop. 

A country may be overflocked with barley, and it is 
too frequently the cafe in this kingdom, the effects of 
which are forely felt by the lower clafs, from the im- 
moderate ufe of fpirits, when it becomes fo cheap, as to 
be within the reach of every common labourer. But 
the cafe is different with refpecl: to potatoes » there 
cannot be too many of them. As long as Britain re- 
tains a navy, there will be a demand for pork. Pota- 
toes are not only the food of man, but are alfo that 
of horfes, cattle, pigs, and poultry ; fheep, alfo, are 
eafily taught to eat them. 

One great advantage to farmers and labourers may 
derive from having plenty of potatoes, as, in fpring, 
milk and butter is always fcarce ; beef and mutton, 
at that feafon, are entirely out of the reach of the 
lower order •, pickled pork may be had upon cheap 
terms, when potatoes are plenty. A pig, killed at 
Chriftmas, may go a great way in fpring, by pick- 
ling part of it, inftead of making bacon of the whole, 
as is ufually done. A pound of pork, in fpring, 

d with 



34. STATISTICAL SURVEY 

with leeks, oatmeal, greens, &c. would go further 
than two pounds of bacon in a family, and would 
be found confiderably more nouriftiing. 



Sect. 2. Extent of Culture ', and of each Species of 
Grain fnued. 



Before I proceed on this fubject, I beg leave to re- 
mark to the Board, that it is my humble opinion, this 
fe&ion might be fomewhat imperfect, without includ- 
ing potatoes in the difcuffion ; therefore I fhall take 
the liberty of giving them a place with the grain. 

It is impoflible to be accurate on this fubjecl, with- 
out making an actual land furvey ; and this could only 
ferve for one feafon, fince the quantity of land, under 
culture, mufl always vary according to circumftances, 
fuch as the encreafe or decreafe of population, &c. 

Perhaps the beft method of determining this point 

is, by attending to Doctor Beaufort's Memoirs, where 

he ftates the county to contain 28,704 houfes, which 

ftatement at this day is fufficiently accurate, notwith- 

(landing the fuppofed reduction of the inhabitants 

by emigration, raifing militia, &c, which, in tho 

whole, are fcarce worth attending to. I believe, with 

many others, that the county is more on the encreafe 

than on the decreafe. 

From 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 3$ 

From feveral views I have taken in different parifhes, 
I am clearly of opinion, that the number of perfons, or 
rather the average to each houfe, is rather over than 
under fix; but I fhall abide by that number, which 
would make the whole of the inhabitants of the coun- 
ty equal to 172,224. 

"What remains to afcertain is, tp fhew what quantity 
of land is fufrkient to fupply a family, confifting of fix 
perfons, the year round. This, from repeated obfer- 
vations in feveral parifhes, I have determined fuffi- 
ciently accurate to anfwer our prefent purpofe. 

The cultivation, necefTary to fupport a family of the 
above defcription (no matter whether part be children 
or not, as children wafte food, and are fuppofed to be 
equal to grown-up perfons), I ftate as follows: 

3 acres of oats ; - Quantity of feed, 60 ftone. 

\ ditto, potatoes, - ditto, - 80 ditto' 

i ditto, barley, - - ditto, - 8 ditto 

4 ditto, flax, - - ditto, - 15 gallons 

£ ditto, garden and haggard. 

4| total cultivation, which, multiplied by 28,704 
houfes, gives, for land in cultivation, 129,168, 
acres, of which the proportion is ; 

For oats, - - 86,112 acres 

— potatoes, - - 14,352 ditto 

— barley, - - i4>352 ditto 

— flax, - - 10,764 ditto 

— gardens, &c. - 3,588 ditto 

129,168 ditto 
d 2 The 



36 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The above account fhews, that a confiderable deal 
more than one-fourth of the county is in cultivation ; 
the whole number of acres in the county, according to 
Doctor Beaufort, being 467,700. 

In taking a general view of the county, this great 
tract of cultivation does not appear to occupy fo much 
fpace, as what in reality is the cafe ; the reafon is, that 
mountainy and hilly lands meafure more to the eye, 
than flats and low fituations, which are, of courfe, 
chiefly occupied in culture. 

It has been (hewn, that 3 acres of oats require 60 
{lone of feed; 86,112 acres will require 1,722,240 
Hone, or 95,680 barrels, of 18 flone to the barrel. 

Half an acre of potatoes requires 80 flone of feed ; 
14,352 acres, by the fame rule, will be found equal to 
2,296,320 flone, or 114,816 barrels, at 20 flone to 
the barrel. 

With refpect to the quantity of land, barley is equal 
to potatoes, which, at fixteen flone to the acre for 
feed, will be found equal to 229,632 flone, or 14,352 
barrels, at 16 flone to the barrel. 

Forty gallons of flax-feed are ufually fown on an 
acre; 10,754 acres will require 229,632 gallons, or 
6,145 hogftieads, allowing 70 gallons to the hogfhead; 
bin this meafure is never uniform. 



The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 



37 



The whole may be thus Jlate4 t 



Species, 


Acres. 


No.of bar- 
relsjbived. 


Aver. 
peracre. 
barrels. 


Amount, 
barrels. 


C *good and 
\badland. 

*HogJbeads- 


Oats. 


86,112 


95,680 


7* ' 


602784 


Potatoes. 


1*35* 


114,816 


80 


1 148 1 60 


Barley. 


»4#3'S* 


J4,352 


10 


143,520 


Flax. 


10,764 


6145* 






Garden, &c. 3588 





Here it may be necefTary to remark, that the gar- 
den and haggard is commonly the fame, but is al- 
ways filled with crops in fummer, moft commonly 
cabbage. This part, only ferves to fl^ew the quantity 
of land, counting nothing on the feed fowed, or 
the produce, as is (hewn in the fketch above ftated. 

In the foregoing ftatement, half an acre of oats is 
allowed for feed, and a fmall quantity for horfes, whofe 
allowance of this article indeed is moft commonly 
fcanty and precarious; four barrels of potatoes ar* 
alfo deducted from the produce of the half acre, 
for an allowance of feed for the next feafon; the 
half acre of barley makes no part of the food of 
the family, yet ferves to mew the extent of culture 
and quantity of feed fowed ; and the reafon is, be* 

-caufe 



$8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

caufe this grain generally follows potatoes ; indeed it 
is always the cafe in good land. 

Two and a half acres of oats I place againft a houfe, 
or fix in family ; the produce in meal, upon an ave- 
rage, 17I- cwt. allowing i2olb. to the hundred, which 
for oatmeal is the general ftandard, being with more 
eafe turned into pecks of iolb. without fractional 
parts. This allowance will be found nearly one 
pound per day, to each perfon for the year round. 

Thirty-fix barrels of potatoes* are the common 
produce of half an acre, after deducting four barrels 
for feed. This allowance in the grofs, to the whole fa- 
mily, will be found better than 4ilb. daily, to each 
individual. Between meal and potatoes, the daily food 
for each perfon will be found to exceed 5|lb. 
which, with the help of the garden in fummer, may 
be confidered an ample allowance. Pigs and dogs, 
of courfe, mufl fall in for their mare; the latter, from 
their great number, certainly deftroy more food than 
the former ; but this wafte of food our country rare- 
ly confiders as a grievance. How many pigs might 
be fed, throughout the kingdom, with the food 
thrown away upon ufelefs dogs, which are, by far 
the greater part, a peft to the community. 

In 

* Of 20 ftone to the barrel ; for eafe in calculation, I 
prefer the 20 ftone barrel, though the ftandard of the coun- 
ty is generally 40 ftone to the barrel. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 39 

In this place it may be neceflary to remark, that, 
(6 far as barley immediately follows potatoes, the cal- 
culation will hold good j but this is not always the 
cafe, fince, in mountainy fituations, oats muft necef- 
farily follow potatoes; however, in fome cafes, where 
the foil is very good, it is common to fow barley 
after the laft crop of oats (which mail be {hewn 
in the next article); but for this, a dreffing of ma- 
nure muft be ufed. This additional crop of barley 
I mall let ftand, againft the want of barley crops 
in mountainy fituations. 

I believe it is fcarce necefTary to remark, that 
very few cottiers are exactly circumftanced accord- 
ing to the above ftatement; cottiers, in general, 
have not a third part of the allowance here fet 
down, from the farmers; which mail be taken 
notice of in its proper place; the difference muft 
be purchafed, moft commonly by the induftry of the 
loom. 

The quantity of flour ufed, or, which is the fame, 
the wheaten bread made ufe of, by the better fort 
of people, and particularly in the principal towns, 
may be confidered as a draw-back from the above 
ftatement; but the very few, who are accuftomed 
to wheaten bread, make but a fmall bulk, when 
compared to the community at large. 

Sect. 



40 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Sect. 3. Courfe of Crops. 

1. Courfe, but not the moft general is; 
1 oats. 
■2 do. 

3 flax. 

4 oats. 

The above is moft commonly followed in lands 
formerly taken in, and which have been allowed to 
reft for a few years after the firft courfe. The fecond 
rotation, and fometimes the third and fourth, is ge- 
nerally the fame as the firft. This is a moft abomi- 
nable fyftem; the land is never fuffered to reft any 
length of time, and the laying down with clover, or 
any kind of grafs-feed, is generally out of the quet- 
tion. 

Except about Strabane, and Omagh, very little at- 
tention is paid to the laying down with grafs-feeds. 

2. The following courfe is the moft univerfal, and 
is by far the moft rational, particularly for the ba- 
ronies of Strabane and Omagh. 

1 potatoes, upon lea land. 

1 barley, upon one ploughing in April, or May. 

3 oats, upon one ploughing about Chriftmas. 

4 flax, upon two ploughings, the firft about Chrift- 
mas, and the next immediately before the time of 
lowing, which is generally about new May. 

5 th. Oats, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 41 

5th. Oats, and then the land let out for a few years 
as before. If the land be in good condition, barley 
generally follows this crop of oats, but the foil rauft 
be highly manured ; after this follow oats, and then 
flax, and fuffered to reft as before. 

Here are eight fucceflive crops running, without 
any kind of meliorating crop. 

There are many however, who follow a better fyf- 
tem; they flop after the laft crop of barley, by which 
means the land is let out in good heart, and, of courfe, 
will come round for a fecond courfe in a fhorter 
time. 

To this practice, if the fowing of grafs-feeds and 
clover, when the latter might be thought to fucceed, 
was added, much benefit would certainly enfue. 

3d. Courfe, commonly followed in mountainy fix- 
ations. 

1 potatoes. 

2 oats. 

3 oats. 

In fome mountainy fituations, a third crop of oats 
is taken off, but this rarely happens. 

In boggy marfhy fituations, a fourth fyftem is fol- 
lowed, which I look upon to be the moft profitable 
of any. 

Part of the foil is burned for allies, fufficient to 
manure a crop of potatoes. Two crops are generally 
taken off, and then it is laid down, moft commonly with 

black 



42 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

black oats, which frequently lodge, and rot in wet 
feafons. Notwithftanding this, a mofl luxuriant verdure 
foon takes place, without any afliftance from hay-feeds; 
the white meadow graft (Holcus lanatus), being pecu- 
liar to fuch foils, foon occupies the furface. 

This mode of bringing in land has of late years 
been very much attended to, which the people find 
to their advantage, in point of gaining annually a 
confiderable acquifition to meadow land, the want of 
which is the greateft inconvenience this county la- 
bours under. 

Obfervations. 

If, inftead of always following potatoes with barley 
in good foils, we were occafionally to introduce wheat, 
no doubt we would get into a better habit of living, 
with refpecT: to food, than is at prefent the cafe. The 
leiTening the confumption of fpirits, and the getting 
into a mode of ufmg wheaten, and rye bread, (which 
fliould be generally mixed, for the ufe of labour- 
ing people) are two objects of great importance to 
the community. Oatmeal is not calculated for making 
bread ; it is well known, that a pound of it will go 
farther in a family, made into hafty pudding, or flira- 
bout, according to the general phrafe, than a pound 
and a half made into bread -, and yet, uotwitjhftanding 
all this, I find there is a confiderable deal more meal 

ufed* 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE, 43 

ufed in bread throughout the county, than otherwife. 
The people of the province of Leinfter are very fen- 
fjble of this, and, very properly, convert the greater 
part of their oatmeal into ftirabout, and ufe wheat and 
rye, and fometimes peas, for bread. The foregoing 
grains are commonly mixed, and, when fo, are called 
in fome parts braccas, as in the county of Kildare, and 
in other parts mejlin^ as in the county of Louth. 

It is faid, that the foils of this county are not calcu- 
lated for wheat and rye, and particularly for the former. 
I know they are not generally fo, but it is very noto- 
rious, that many of them are, from fome fuccefsful 
trials, which have been lately made in the neighbour- 
hood of Omagh, the foils of which are by no means 
deemed fo well calculated for wheat, as a large por- 
tion of thofe of the baronies of Dungannon and Clogh- 
er, which, in my opinion, are as good wheat foils as 
any in the kingdom. A ftrong abiding loam, inclining 
to limeftone-gravel, -is allowed, by the bed judges, to 
be mofl favourable to wheat, whfch is in great abund- 
ance in the above baronies. In every part of the 
county are to be found fpots of rich bog, which pro- 
duce abundant crops of potatoes. In all fuch places, 
rye would certainly fucceed, after a potatoe crop : but 
by far the beft economy would be, to have rape after 
potatoes, as part of fuch grounds are in general burned 
the year before, to manure the potatoe crop. The laft 
crop, ©r that after rape, fhould be ryc» 

The 



44 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The fpring is the feafon of fevere trial for food 
for cattle : a little rape at that* time would be found 
of infinite ufe, the procuring of which is almofl in 
the power of every farmer : the feed is of little or 
no value, and the foil is prepared to his hand by the 
late crop of potatoes. 

Wheat and rye ftraw will laft double the length of 
time, for thatch, as oat and barley flraw ; this would 
be found of the utmoft confequence, in point of en- 
creafmg manure. 

From what I have faid upon this head, I beg it may 
not be underftood, that I wifh to leflen the quantity of 
oats raifed : if horfes, pigs, and poultry were fully 
ferved, the whole would be found little enough, with 
the addition of the wheat and rye, that might be 
raifed . 

SECT. 4. Ufe of Oxen. 

Very little ufe is made of oxen in the county. Some 
years ago, in Lord Mountjoy's demefne, oxen were 
found of great ufe for ploughing deep foils, where it 
was neceflary to plant, which was performed by the 
Kentifh wheel-plough, drawn by fix bullocks, which 
commonly were harnefled by the yoke placed to the 
moulder of the animal. This fubjec"t, with many others 
relative to improvements, I mean to referve for a fepa- 

rate 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 45 

rate chapter, which fhall include the bulk of the im- 
provements of Rafh * demefne and its appendages, as 
it is apprehended, that a curfory view of thofe exten- 
iive improvements might not do fufficient juftice to the 
fubjecl:, nor would the reader be able to comprehend 
them in fo clear a light, as if brought under one gene- 
ral head. 

It is not uncommon, in many parts of the county, to 
meet, among the farmers, fmart active little bullocks, 
employed in the flide-car (which fhall be taken notice 
of in the next feclion), drawing turf, manure, lime- 
ftone, &c; and, from the habit of being in company 
with horfes, they move as faft as them. It alfo fre* 
quently happens with a poor farmer, who may have 
the misfortune to lofe one of his horfes in fpring, 
to be obliged to join a bullock with a horfe to 
plough his land ; indeed there are frequent inflances 
of his being obliged to yoke his cow for the fame 
purpofe. 

In a mounta'my country, as this is, and where the 
farms in general are fo extremely Tmall, horfes will al- 
ways fuperfede oxen in cultivating the foil. In level 
countries, and where there are large farms, where a 
long, fteady courfe of tillage is the principal object, 

oxen 

* Rafh is the prefent name, which is derived from a rath, or 
Danifh fort. It is in contemplation to change the name to 
Mountjoy Park. 



46 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

oxen can be only employed to advantage. 

The common trace and collar is the general mode of 
harnelHng in ploughing. 



Sect. 5. Nature and ufe of Implements of Hu/bandry. 

Very little can be faid, in general, in favour of our 
implements of hufbandry. 

The common plough is a mofl wretched implement; 
it performs very badly, and, from its conftruttion, is 
very difficult to draw. Inftead of having the coulter 
in a line with the land fide of the fock, or ploughfhare, 
it is generally placed an inch nearer the land, or to the 
left hand ; and, inftead of the coulter being fet a little 
before the fock, it is placed rather behind it, fo that, 
by this means, the draught is confiderably encreafed. 
On account of the point of the fock not being guarded 
by the coulter, the former is always made of iron, in* 
ftead of metal, which is always attended with trouble 
and expence. From* this mode of fixing the plough- 
irons, it is plain there are two obftruc"tions to encoun- 
ter with, in place of one : the fock rather opens the 
land firft ; the coulter cuts after, but never a clear or 
fair open furrow, which may be eafily conceived. 

Some gentlemen there are, however, who follow a 
better fyftem. A plough got fome years ago from 
Collon, one from Lord Longford in the county of 

"Weftmeatb, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 47 

Weftmeath, and one from Mid-Lothian in Scotland 
(all at Ram), are beginning to open the eyes of the 
neighbouring farmers. Thefe acquifitions, with the 
fpirited exertions of Mr. Buchanan, near Omagh, who 
is moil indefatigable in the ufeful purfuits of agricul- 
ture, I hope will, in a fhort time, reform our fyftem ; 
indeed already there are vifible appearances of a re- 
formation. 

Almofl as little can be faid in favour of the harrow, 
as of the plough. There is only one kind in general 
ufe ; it confifts of four baulks or main pieces, con- 
taining twenty pins or tines, and is commonly drawn 
on the angle. Sometimes two harrows are fattened to- 
gether, efpecially in dry weather, and at the time of 
feed-fowing 5 in this cafe, two cattle are made ufe of, 
yoked abreafl. The fingle harrow is commonly drawn 
by one beaft. 

In ploughing, more than two horfes are feldom 
ufed, and, in many fituations, that number is fufficient. 
It is a well-known fact, however, that the fcanty crops 
of oats we commonly meet with, and particularly the 
fourth and fifth in courfe, may be chiefly attributed to 
mallow ploughing. There cannot be a more clear in- 
flance of this, than what has repeatedly occurred at 
Ram, in laying down the fmall diftric~ts occupied 
by farmers and labourers, who knowing, that they 
would be obliged to give up at ftated periods, mewed 
no mercy, but cropped on every year with exhaufling 

crops, 



48 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

crops, of courfe, oats and flax. But, notwithftanding 
the extreme poverty, in which they left the land, one 
deep ploughing, performed by four or fix flout cattle, 
never failed to yield an abundant crop. But to return; 

About twenty years ago, very few wheel-cars were 
to be met with, except in the neighbourhoods of prin- 
cipal towns, fuch as Dungannon, Omagh, and Stra- 
bane •, now every farmer, of any note, is poflfefled of 
one or more ; though, in many fituations, it can never 
be applied fo ufefully as the common flide-car ; not- 
withftanding, the farmer, who is able, feels a pride 
in having a wheel-car, though frequently of not much 
more ufe to him, than that of going occafionally to 
markets or fairs. 

In the hilly and mountainy parts of the country, the 
flide-car muft always prevail, as being capable of ac- 
cefs, where a wheel-car would have no chance of act- 
ing. The price is from 3/. $\d. to 5/. 5*/. when bought 
at the fair or market, and it will laft, with care, three or 
four feafons, but muft be frequently fupplied with new 
feet, which generally coft fixpence-halfpenny a pair : 
but more of this, when I come to treat of the general 
prices of timber. 

Two and one-half cwt. is generally the load of a 
flide-car, three of which are deemed equal to that of 
a wheel-car. The whole expence of a wheel-car is 
about four guineas, which may laft five or fix years, 
according to the manner it may be employed. 

To 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 49 

To a perfon, accuftomed to wheel-cars, the Aide 
ones, at firft view, muft appear aukward, which, in- 
deed, was the cafe with myfelf fome years ago ; but 
now I am thoroughly convinced of their great utility 
in mountainy fituations. Even in countries not over 
mountainous, I am not altogether clear, but the ftide- 
car mould have the preference. It is amazing to find 
with what celerity a fmall horfe, worth about forty 
millings, with one of thofe fimple vehicles, will get 
through fo much bufinefs in a feafon, in drawing ma- 
nure, turf, limeftone, &c. In fteep hills, rough, un- 
even, and fwampy fituations, the flide-car may be 
ufed, where the other could have no chance to fuc~ 
ceed. The average expence of a wheel-car, with wear 
and tear, may be about a guinea a year, whereas that 
of the other may not exceed half a crown. 

The reader, who may not be acquainted with the 
flide-car, even by the name, may conceive fome idea of 
it from the following fketch. 



The body, from a, to a, is ufually the length of that 
of a wheel-car, according to the fize of the beaft ; the 
fame may be understood of the breadth, The body is 

5 made 



So STATISTICAL SURVEY 

made of oak, alder, birch, or any other wood which 
may be convenient. The rungs, b> b y b, b, are generally 
oak or hazel. The car is commonly ufed for fome 
time before the foot is applied, and, upon the applica- 
tion of which, the fide of the car is thus reprefented. 

a 



e. 



a? 

When the (haft of the car is raifed to a, (the fup- 
pofed height when the bead is yoked), the fpace c, d, 
will be found horizontal, or at leaft it will take that 
direction, when the car has been fome time at work. 
In drawing over hard foils, the feet foon wear out, 
and muft be frequently replaced. The ftraps or belts 
e, e, are fometimes of iron, but mofl commonly gads, 
made of. hazel or fallow. 

■ Spade ami Shove/.— Some years ago, fcarce a good 
fpade was to be found ; at prefent it is quite other- 
wife, as every town of note is plentifully fupplied with 
that article from Dublin and other parts. The (hovel 
is the common one, peculiar to every part of the king- 
dom, which, for ditching and draining, is certainly the 
hea. 

A mill, for manufacturing fpades and ihovels, has 
been lately eftablifhed at Fintona, by Mr. Hugh Kelly 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 51 

of that town, I find, from fair trial, that the fpades 
are as good as any, which have been brought from 
other parts. At Newtown-ftewart, by Mr. Bartin of 
that town, another fpade and fhovel-mill is about to be 
fet up. 

Pick-axt and Crow-iron. — Formerly the pick-axe was 
feldom ufed in finking drains and ditches ; the crow- 
iron was the chief implement for that purpofe. The 
former is at prefent in moft general ufe, being lefs la- 
borious to the workman ; befides, in moft cafes, it is 
beft for quick difpatch. In heavy ftrong foils, and 
where large ftones interfere, the latter is preferred, 
being more powerful for weighty works. 

Forks, rakes, reaping-hooks, fcythes, &c. are in 
common with other counties. 

I cannot pafs over a fimple implement, peculiarly 
adapted to this county, and which, I believe, is tole- 
rably general through the North, though not fo in 
other parts of the kingdom. The old Irifh name is 
Jkroghoge ; the word fkrogh being generally ufed for fod. 
I mall here call it a fcraw-cutter. 

It is ufed for cutting fcraws or fods, to lay on the 
houfes, between the wattling and the thatch, which 
contribute very much to keep them comfortable and 
warm, and alfo faves thatch. The fods are cut about 
two feet broad, and from an inch to two inches thick; 
the length is determined by the depth of the roof; for 
example, a roof of fourteen feet in cjepth will require 

« a a fod 



52 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

a fod of fixteen feet, as it muft lap over the vertex, 
and come down to the outfide face of the wall. They 
are rolled upon a flick, and carried up the ladder by 
two men, who perform their work very dexteroufly. 
An active man can cut from thirty to forty fods of the 
above dimenlions, in a day, and the general price is a 
penny a fod, but he mult aflifl to lay them on the roof, 
and fit them there, which requires fome degree of in- 
genuity. Under is a fketch of the fcraw-cutter. 




The crofs piece a, 2 feet, 

Brace, b> 1 foot, 8 inches, 

Length from c y to J, 4 feet 6 inches, 

from d> to e, 7 inches, 

— from f, to g, 10 inches, and about the 

fame in breadth. The rife, or upfet, from d> to g, is 
to be confiderably more than that of the bed of a 
fpade. 

Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. $1 

Sect. 6. Markets for Grain. 

Although there are feveral market towns through- 
out the county, yet very little grain is fold at any of 
them. Oats and barley are generally fold by fample. 
Oatmeal and potatoes are the chief articles of food, 
fold in the public markets. The principal markets 
are, Dungannon, Stewartftown, Cookftown, Augh- 
nacloy, Augher, Fintona, Omagh, Newtownftewart, 
and Strabane ; there are a few others, but of very' 
little note. 

Flax-feed abounds in every market, in fpring, not 
only in market towns, but even in fmall villages, and 
detached houfes through the country. It is always 
bought from the merchant by the hogmead, which 
generally is from fixty to feventy gallons ; it is retailed 
by pecks and gallons ; five of the latter are fuffici- 
ent to fow half a rood, or twenty fquare perches of 
land, being in the proportion of forty gallons to the 
acre. 

Mofl commonly, great profits are made by retailing 
flax-feed ; I have known them to amount to forty per 
cent. 

Some years ago, in confequence of premiums granted 
by the Dublin fociety, or the Linen board, large quan- 
tities of flax -feed of Irifh growth were fown ; but this 
practice, with great propriety, has been laid afide. 

Seqt. 



54 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Sect. 7. Ufe of green food in winter. 

Few in the county know what is meant by green 
food, much lefs have they any knowledge of the appli- 
cation of it. 

Some are very induftrious in planting large quantities 
of cabbage in their gardens, which they never let go 
to lofs, as the cows and pigs are fure to be ferved 
by what the family cannot make ufe of ; this about 
Chriflmas affords a temporary relief. In fpring 
which is the trying feafon for cattle, as at that time 
fodder of every fort becomes fcarce, the only re- 
fource for green food, if I may fo call it, is the 
tops of furze, which are ufed in large quantities for 
horfes. The young tops are pounded, or bruifed, 
in a (tone mortar ; but this operation is very tedi- 
ous, as it will take a man, the greater part of the 
day, to prepare food for two horfes. When bruifed, 
they are mixed with a little oats, and make ex- 
cellent provender, which all our farmers fully expe- 
rience. A machine, or fome improvement, upon this 
head, would be found of infinite advantage to the 
public. I have feen flax broken, for the fcutchers of 
a flax- mill, by wooden fluited cylinders, and am of 
opinion, that furze might be bruifed on the fame prin- 
ciple. This might be worth the consideration of fome 
ingenious artift. 

Inftead 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 55 

Inftead of green food, oat-chafF and fmall potatoes 
are boiled together, which are well known to be 
wholefome and nourifhing for cattle and pigs, and 
never fail to encreafe the quantity of milk. The milk 
is alfo encreafed by boiling hay in water, which en- 
creafe is more or lefs, according to the quality of the 
hay; the clofe jointed grafles, in general, afford the 
richeft hay-water, of which the bent grafTes form not 
the leaft part. 

There is a fpecies of grafs very common in all low 
fituations, and efpecially in rich bogs, called the creep- 
ing bent grafs, the agroftis flolonifera of Linnaeus : from 
the faccharine and fucculent quality of this grafs, it is 
extremely well fuited for making hay-water. The 
natives call it the foreen-grafs ; the joints are very 
numerous, and ftrike root at every one j it creeps 
along the furface to a great diftance, attaching itfeif to 
the perpendicular fides of drains and bog-holes, or 
any other fituation, where its numerous roots may 
chance to grafp. The beft way of encreafing it is, 
to cut the hay with a knife, or rather with a flraw- 
cutter, which if fown like hayfeeds, in moifl fituations, 
and covered with about half an inch of rich boggy 
foil, in moift weather, every joint will fucceed, as I 
have more than once experienced. 

It is not eafy to collect the feed pare, nor is it apt 
to ripen well. A fuller defcription under the article, 
Natural graffes^ which fee. 

It 



S6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

It would be unpardonable in me, were I to quit this 
fubjec*r, without taking notice of Dr. Richardfon's fyf- 
tem of courfes of crops, and green food, in the pariih 
of Clonfeckle, and barony of Dungannon. When I 
was there in July, 1800, I faw fome crops of rape, 
managed in a mafterly manner, and with a perfect 
view towards economy. This gentleman feems^ to 
pofTefs, in a great degree, both the fpirit and talent 
for ufeful farming. 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 57 



CHAP. III. 



PASTURE. 



Sect. I. Nature of Pqfture. 

FROM the mode of letting lands reft a few years, 
in fome meafure to recover naturally, without the at- 
fiftance of clover and hay-feeds, or either, good pat 
ture-land cannot be expected. The principal paftures 
are thofe, which the plough and fpade have not hither- 
to been able to attack ; namely, holmy * land, con- 
fidered too wet and precarious for tillage ; rocky and 
fkrubby land, out of the reach of a farmer to bring in- 
to culture; mountainy foil, deemed not capable of 
bringing crops of corn to maturity ; and bog and 
marfhy foils, as far as cattle are able to make their 
way into them, and, in attempting of which, many are 
loft. 

The above, with what the cattle may be able to 

pick up, after the crops of corn are carried off, chiefly 

compofe 

# Low flat land, Ctuated generally in the vicinity of brooks 
and rivers. 



5* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

compofe the bulk of the pafture-land, except about 
towns, where generally there is fome attention paid to 
the fowing of hay-feeds, but rarely clover. 

It is a univerfal practice to let in cattle among pota- 
toes, fome time before the ftalks are withered. A 
more deftru&ive fyflem cannot be conceived, as the 
lofs in the crop, by adhering to this method, muft be 
always confiderable. The root is never at maturity fb 
long as the ftalk continues green ; befides, the cattle 
tread the land to fuch a degree, that frequently a great 
part of the crop is expofed, and, if it mould efcape the 
froft, is, notwithstanding, otherwife materially injured. 
The foil is alfo rendered ftifF by the cattle walking 
over it, which, of courfe, muft always encreafe the 
expence of digging out the potatoes. Add to this, that, 
if the land be retentive, or inclined to clay, water will 
lodge in every impreifion made by the feet of cattle, 
which, in a, fliort time, will caufe the crop to rot. 



Sect. 2. Breed of Cattle — how far improved. 

There is very little variation in the breed of black 
cattle, and efpecially in the mountainy parts of the 
county. They are of various colours and fhapes, but 
generally fmall, as heavy flock could not fubfift upon 
the fcanty fare of our mountains, being principally 

young 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 59 

young heath, or heder, a common name for heath with 
the natives, and a coarfe kind of carex grafs, which 
fprings up immediately, after burning the heath, in 
fpring, which in many parts of the county is a com- 
mon practice, to the great deftruction of game, but 
more particularly groufe. 

The common cuftom is, with the occupiers of moun- 
tainy tracts, to let the grafs for the fummer feafon, for 
(6 much a beaft, or by the fum, according to the coun- 
try phrafe, to the inhabitants of the low lands. 

Horfes, from 10/. to 15/. 
Cows, from 5/. to 10/. 
Sheep, from ix. to 2/. >. 

In Glenchordial, between Omagh and Gortin, one 
of the appendages of the Munterloney mountains, graz- 
ing lets fomewhat higher, it being allowed to be the 
befl feeding mountain in the county. 

At the fall of the feafon, generally in October, great 
numbers of the horned cattle are killed, and fold in all 
the country fairs and markets, not by weight, but mod: 
commonly by hand or view, at from 3 ox. to 3/. a car- 
cafe. By the country people it is called horfe-beef, 
becaufe it is carried to market on horfeback. The 
poorer clafs are the general purchafers, and three or 
four of them frequently join in a carcafe. Some are 
brought home, and fed on flraw during the feverity of 
the, winter. 

From 



6a STATISTICAL SURVEY 

From this treatment, we cannot expett any improve- 
ment in the breed of cattle, fo far as relates to moun- 
tainy pafture, which, indeed, compofes a great part of 
the pafture of the county, particularly in the baronies 
of Strabane and Omagh. Many die, even in the fum- 
mer months, through extreme poverty, and not a few 
die of diforders, which, no doubt, proceed from the 
fame caufe. 

No pains are taken to improve the breed of cattle, 
nor would it anfwer any good purpofe to do fo, till a 
reformation be firft made in the mode of pafture, and 
more bogs reclaimed, becaufe, in the prefent ftate of 
pafture, the native cattle are found more certain, than 
flock brought from the fouthern or weftern counties. 

Though our milch-cows are far from being well 
fhaped in general, they are, notwithftanding, common- 
ly good milkers, to fecure which the people take infi- 
nite pains. If a perfon happens on a bad milker, he 
fells her again as foon as poffible, and fo continues 
buying and felling, till he finds one to anfwer : this is 
n,ot attended with much expence or lofs of time, as the 
fairs are fo numerous and convenient throughout the 
county. 

The horfes are aifo badly fhaped, though very dura- 
ble, and capable of undergoing a great deal of fatigue, 
upon fcanty allowance. We fometimes meet a better 
kind of horfes, which the farmers ride and work occa- 
sionally, but thefe are generally bought, at remote fairs. 
Fermanagh fupplies this county with fome good cattle. 

Breed 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 61 



Breed of Cattle — how far capable of further improvement. 

It has been remarked, in the preceding article, that 
to attempt to improve the breed of cattle, till better 
pafture be introduced, would anfwer no good end; 
therefore it is needlefs to dwell on this fubject. Before 
any material improvement can be made in flock of any 
fort, a better fyftem of laying down land, with judi- 
cious courfes of white and green crops, mufl firfl take 
place. 

Sect. 3. Markets and Fairs for Cattle. 

Perhaps there is not another county in the kingdom 
better fupplied with fairs than this. 

In January there are 1 1 fairs. 

— February - 1 1 ditto 

— March 9 ditto 

— April 6 ditto 

— May 24 ditto 

— June - - 16 ditto 

— July 9 ditto 

— Auguft - - 18 ditto 

— September - 6 ditto 

— Oftober - 16 ditto 



— November - 24 ditto 

— December - 9 ditto 



159 in the year. 

Black 



6z STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Black cattle, fheep, and pigs, are to be found in 
every fair, and at all feafons ; and in the fummer 
months, in the principal towns, new-calved cows and 
fpringers are commonly fold on market days. Sheep 
are alfo fold on market days, efpecially of late, fince 
the army began to be quartered throughout the prin- 
cipal towns and villages. 

Both fairs and markets are generally fupplied with 
the common country breed ; but, from Auguft to the 
beginning of November, a much larger and better fort 
are to be met with in the principal towns ; thefe are 
brought from other parts., In May, wethers are 
brought from the Weft by jobbers, which, in a few 
weeks, are fold to butchers. This is, in general, a pro- 
fitable kind of traffic ; ftieep of this defcription, laid in 
at May for 25/., will fell out, the Auguft and Septem- 
ber folio wing* at from 32/. to 40/. befides the fleece, 
which may be ftated at four or five (hillings more. 

Fairs for horfes are much more limited, than thofe 
for fheep and black cattle. The following are the 
principal, 

Strahane. 

Mcy— confidcrable 5 good cattle, and high priced. 
■Dutigannm, 
Carnteel — confiderable. 
'Ballygawley. 
Omagh. 
iCbghsr— confiderabie, the fummer fair only. 

Fife* 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 63 

Five-mile-town. 

Beraugh. 

Dunnelong — considerable. 

Sect. 4. General Prices. 

The price of flock varies very much, nor can there 
be any general rule laid down to afcertain this point. 
Forward feafons, and the ftate of provifions, are the 
fureft guides to judge by. In very dear feafons, fuch 
as the years of 1800, and 1801, milch cows fold at an 
immoderate price. I have known fome of the common 
breed to rate fo high as twelve guineas, the milk being 
of great relief to the poor in thofe fevere times; 
whereas, on the other hand, dry cows brought but a 
low price, though both feafons were very promifing, 
and turned out remarkably well for grafs. 

Times of plenty, and the profpect of a forward fea<- 
fon, never fail to raife the price of dry cattle. A beafl, 
fuppofed not to weigh more than 3-? cwt. (120 lb. to 
the cwt.) when made up for fale in November, gene- 
rally cofts from 5/. to 67, the preceding May, though 
in very poor condition. At 3*/. a pound for the beef, 
and about 50/. for the hide and fat, the whole may be 
fet down at 7/. 15^.; fo that, from this ftatement, un- 
lefs the beef exceed 3 d. by the pound, the profit can- 
not be reckoned fufflcient for the fummer's grafs ; but 

a great 



«4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

a great deal is made of land by after-grafs, and feed- 
ing through ftubble-land, &c. 

Common working horfes are always dear in 
fpring, on account of the great hurry of labour, 
which never fails to prevail at that feafon. A beafl, 
which, in the fpring feafon, might have eoft 6/., 
probably may be fold, the October following, for 3/. 
This great variation in the price of horfes arifes from 
the fcarcity of winter food, as very few of the fmall 
farmers can afford better food, in winter and fpring, 
than oat-ftraw, and the tops of young furze, as has 
been already noticed. 

Common fheep, bought in at May for 15/., fell, the 
October following, at from 2oj*. to 25/.; but this mufl 
be underftood in good low-land foils, and not in moun- 
tainy ones; the fleece is generally worth 3^. Five 
fheep are allowed to a plantation acre. There is more 
profit on fheep and lambs, than on wethers, when the 
lambs fucceed, which is not always the cafe ; the lamb 
and the wool are fuppofed to be cleared, both worth 
about 12/. 

Sect. 5. Mode of feeding Cattle. 

- Throughout moft parts of the county, and parti- 
cularly the befl improved parts of the baronies of Stra- 
bane and Omagh, black cattle are houfed during the 

heat 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 65 

heat of the day in fummer, merely for the object of 
encreafing manure, and not to guard the cattle againft 
too much heat, of which there is fcarcely ever any 
danger, our fummers in general being quite the re- 
verfe. This fyftem is chiefly confined to milch cows, 
the young flock being generally fent to the mountains, 
to remain there the fummer and autumn half-year. 

As the ftock of grazing among the farmers and la- 
bourers is feidom abundant, they are very induftrious 
and careful to pick up every bit of foil they can 
make out about ditches, &c. Cabbage-leaves and po- 
tatoe-ftalks, as foon as the latter article becomes fit 
for ufe, ftill help for food and manure, and encreafe 
the quantity of milk and butter. 

For want of good fences to protect the crops, the 
cattle are alfo houfed at night ; this, of courfe, adds 
to the fund of manure. With me it is a doubt, if 
the farmers were even poiTefTed of fufficient fences, 
but they would ftill prefer the practice of keeping 
their cattle houfed at night in the fummer feafon, on 
account of having an opportunity of encreafing their 
fund of manure. Still, however > this confideration 
fhould by no means prevent the introduction of good 
fences for many ufeful purpofes, which, in this place, 
it is not my province to dwell upon. 

About towns, where field:, and parks are in general 

fecurely fenced by dry ftone-walls or quickfets, cows 

are differed to lie out at night in fummer and autumn, 

f and, 



66 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

and, in favourable feafons, to the latter end of No- 
vember. 

I have often heard this fubject talked over by the 
better informed people, whether it be wifer economy 
to have the cattle honfed in the fummer feafon, as 
above flated, or let them remain out altogether. There 
might be many reafons given for and againft both fides 
of the queftion ; but I believe, by weighing all ma- 
turely, that houfing is the beft economy. The other 
mode, perhaps, in fome inftances, might be found beft, 
but this mould be chiefly underflood for the neigh- 
bourhood of towns •, but the misfortune is, that the in- 
habitants of fuch places fcarceiy ever pay the lead at- 
tention to the manure of cattle, by collecting it frefh, 
mortly after it falls from them, and before it becomes 
too dry, which renders it entirely unfit for the pur- 
pofes of manure. This neglect is the chief caufe of 
the numerous rank and infipid tufts of grafs we meet 
about towns, and other parts, where this bufinefs is 
>not fully attended to. Some, however, break and fcat- 
le-r the dung when it becomes dry, but this is of little 
or no ufe, as.it then becomes quite exhaufted, and the 
rank tufts are not prevented from taking place. 

With refpect to the feeding of horfes, the fame ad- 
vantage, as far as relates to manure, cannot be obtain- 
ed, as from black cattle, fince the manner of feeding is 
more precarious. When not at work, the horfe is ge- 
nerally fpancelled, or tied by a rope to a flake, on the 

road 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 67 

road fide, or in fome corner of a field under crop. 
When at work, fome fcraps of foil are made out for 
him between working hours, and the fame commonly 
at night-time. 

Sheep are not ufually fed on the low lands in the 
fummer feafon ; they are generally fent to the moun- 
tains for fix months, from the firft of May to the firft 
of November, but, if the weather fhould fet in fevere, 
not fo long. 

Cattle, how far houfed in Winter. 

The weather points out to the people when to houfe 
their cattle. In order to fave fodder, which is always 
a fcarce article, they keep them out as long as poflible, 
or fo long as the weather will permit. Many far- 
mers have their cattle comfortably lodged, both cows 
and horfes ; as to bullocks or oxen, there are but few. 
In very fevere weather, the fmall fcattered-flocks of 
meep are fometimes looked after, but are moft com- 
monly fuffered to range through the country in com- 
mon, and many of them are utterly loft. 

In very fevere weather, the young ftock of black 
cattle are collected into fome out-houfes, or (hel- 
tered fituations, where they are treated as well as 
the nature of the cafe will allow. 

In order to fave fodder as much as poflible, the 
farmer feldom threfhes more on one day, than what his 

f 2 cattle 



68 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

cattle arc able to confume the fame day; this bufl- 
nefs is generally performed by the fervant boy on morn- 
ings and evenings, before and after his day's work. 

Whatever little flock of hay there may be, is 
generally referved till fpring, and that chiefly for 
horfes, who at that feafon mull work very fevere, 
in order to expedite the fpring bufinefs, which is, in 
general, very prefTing, between oats, barley, flax, 
and potatoes. 

As to the poor cottiers, who generally derive un- 
der the farmers of all denominations, their mode of 
feeding their cows, in winter, is very precarious and 
uncomfortable; fome, according to the rule of cot- 
take, or cottiers -take, may have half an acre of oats, 
which commonly produces thirty (looks of flraw, of 
twelve fheaves to the flook. Such as are fo circum- 
flanced confider themfelves very well off, though 
this allowance is not more than half fufficient for 
the feafon, as thirty Hooks of fir aw feldom weigh 
more than 10 or 12 cwt., and a ton, of either 
hay or flraw, is two fmall an allowance for a cow, 
for the feafon. As hay is generally out of the cot- 
tager's power, he mufl buy as much more flraw as 
his cot-take produced, otherwife his cow mufl flarve; 
the average price of flraw is eight pence a flook, fo 
that fixty flooks, what is fuppofed to have off the cot- 
tuke, and what he mufl: buy, may amount to forty mil- 
lings-, and the fummers grafs, unlefs mountainy paflure, 
is commonly the fame. 

But 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 69 

But many there are, who are far from being fo com- 
fortably circumftanced as the foregoing. Without any 
kind of a cot-take, but the bare walls of a cabin, fre- 
quently without even a fmall garden, the poor man 
muft ilruggle through life; but almoft every labourer 
is alio a weaver; when the linen trade is good and pro- 
vifions cheap, he does tolerably well, fo far as potatoes 
and oatmeal are concerned, but is generally ftraitened 
for milk and butter; the latter, indeed, the poor 
feldom ufe. 

As to the manner of houfing in winter, cottiers' cows 
generally fare better, with refpect to warmth, than 
thofe belonging to farmers, as one houfe generally an- 
fwers for the family and the cow. Miferable as this 
circumftance is to relate, it is really fact, and will hold 
good throughout more than the one third of the pea- 
santry of the county. 

Till men of property fet fome plans on foot to al- 
leviate the condition of the poor, there can be no 
chance of improving their Situations; fky farmers, or 
under tenants, who are generally underftood to be 
farmers of the loweft denomination, and are mofr com- 
monly thofe, from whom mod of the labourers, and 
the poorefl claf3 of the weavers hold their cot-takes » 
what can be expected from a fet of beings, who are 
for the greater part fully as wretched as the cottiers 
themfelves? I find myfelf wandering from my Subject, 
but I requefl the reader's indulgence for a few words 
more. 

A farmer 



70 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

A farmer, who may occupy ten or fifteen acres, of 
perhaps bad land, is neither a farmer nor a cottier-, 
he is much worfe fituated than a cottager, placed in 
a comfortable, eafy fituation, immediately under the 
lord of the foil, with certain privileges, fufficient to 
fupport himfelf, and family, fo far as relates to po- 
tatoes, flax, grazing, and a fmall garden, with a little 
hay, or, for want of it, a certain allowance of ftraw ; 
for thefe the labourer can afford to pay a better rent, 
than the petty farmer is able to pay for his land. By 
this fyftem, the landed property will be cncreafed, the 
individual cottier made happy and comfortable; this 
will excite induflry, will create wealth ; and thus the 
community at large can never fail of benefiting by this 
mode. 

SECT. 6. Natural graffes* 

I believe all the natural grafTes peculiar to the king- 
dom are to be met with in this county •, it is at leaft 
the cafe, as far as I could learn. Upon this iubject, 
with the invefligation of other plants indigenous to the 
county, I have, for fome years back, fpent fome time 
and fpeculation; the refult of which I hope, one day 
or other, to fet forth, though I cannot fay, that I ihall 
be able to add a fingle fpecies to the collection at 
GlafTnevin, according to the catalogue I have feen of 
that collection. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 7 i 

The Fefcue and Poa graffes are the moft numerous 
in found foils, in which fituations the vernal grafs 
is never wanting. In rich reclaimed bogs, both fpecies 
of the white meadow grafs always flourim, though in 
any foil, newly laid down, they profper for two or 
three years ; but in dry fituations they foon give way 
to the above, which, with the white clover, moft com- 
monly compofe the principal mafs ; but the latter is al- 
moft peculiar to every fpot, which in general fupplies 
all defects in the verdure of the furface, where clay is 
at all concerned. 

According to the received fyftem, clover is not 
ranked among the natural graffes; but as many of them 
fupply the place of the moft valuable graffes, at leaft 
fo far as relates to pafture, I {hall here confider them 
in the fame light, that farmers ufually do. 

A perennial clover, in England oommonly called 
cow-grafs, here known by the name of horfe-fham- 
rock, is frequently met in detached tufts, in ftrong 
foils, and cold clays. This is a moft valuable plant, 
and fpreads faft. Seeds-men frequently impofe the 
feed of the red clover for this article, which they 
may readily do, as, by barely infpecting the feeds of 
both, they are not eafily diftinguifhed, at leaft by 
common obfervers. In this county, in dry feafons, 
the feed ripens very well j a few ounces of it might be 
foon collected, which in two or three feafons, by good 

management 



72 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

management and clean culture, afford a plentiful fup- 
ply. A flock of pure feeds might foon be procured, 
by feparating the roots. 

The famous foreen-grafs, already mentioned as a 
fubflitute for green food, I muft in this place make a 
few more remarks upon. 

In making roads through our moil fpongy and 
worfl of bogs, we frequently find this fpecies take 
place naturally, in the courfe of two or three fea- 
fons, in the bottoms and fides of water-tables and 
ditches, and along the footways, between the gravel 
and the edges of the fences. Upon fcouring thofc 
drains and ditches in fpring, and cafling the fluff 
with the mangled grafs in queflion upon the furface 
of the bog, we find a flrong permanent foil foon 
formed. But I find, where this work has been per- 
formed early in autumn, that the good effects of 
fwarthing over fooner take place. The reafon is 
plain, becaufe a dry fummer, following the fpring 
operation, prevents many of the roots from flriking 
anew. Thefe obfervations, which are really facl, 
Ihew clearly, how much this femi-aquatic grafs might 
be turned to our advantage, with little trouble or ex- 
pence. I have frequently known this grafs to fhoot 
upwards of twenty feet in a feafon, and produce 
plenty of roots at every joint, which are always nu- 
merous 5 but in rich bogs, the joints are further apart 

tjia« 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 73 

than in barren bogs, but the whole fummer's growth, 
in the former cafe, together with an uncommon degree 
of luxuriance, is always found mod confiderable. 

Great advantages might be derived from timothy 
grafs, by encouraging, and confining it to the foil it is 
belt calculated for, and where other grafTes of greater 
repute, though perhaps not defervedly fo, would not 
fucceed. It is not common ; fometimes, however, we 
meet it in flrong, four, clay foils, commonly in de- 
tached groupes, in which fnuations the feed, in favour- 
able feafons, comes to maturity. 

Some years ago, I got a confiderable quantity of this 
feed from America, and fowed it upon a very ftiiF clay 
foil, which retained water almoft perpetually, and was 
fo fituated, that draining was found to be of very little 
ufe ; yet, notwithftanding, the grafs flourifhed, and is at 
this day as pure and as free from other grafTes, as the 
firft year after the feed had been fown, which is fo far 
back as the year of 1792. The foil is now perfectly 
dry and firm, though no fubfequent draining, or any 
other improvement of the furface, had fince taken 
place. 

It is very fingular, that I never have been able to 
fave any per feci: feed from that procured from Ame- 
rica, though I have perfectly fucceeded in raifing per- 
fect feed from the native growth. 

Bulk for bulk, the feed of this grafs weighs heavier 
than any of our natural grafTes. 

Ic 



74 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

It was formerly in great repute in England, from 
•whence it found its way to America, where, I am told, 
it is confidered as one of the moft valuable grafles in 
that country. When better known here, I make no 
doubt, but it will become a favourite alfo. For work- 
ing horfes it makes excellent food, but I find it is not 
over favourable to the dairy. 

Sect. 7. Artificial Graffes. 

Except red and white clover, I cannot find, that 
any artificial grafles have been attempted in this 
county. White clover is fometimes fown feparate, but 
moft commonly mixed with red clover; but very little 
of either is raifed in the county, by way of artificial 
graffes ; the former foon covers the furface without 
being at the trouble of fowing, and the latter we 
commonly find in patches, in dry wholefome foils, 
and fometimes mixed with the perennial red clover, or 
cow-grafs, and frequently accompanied with the com- 
mon trefoil ; fo that there are four fpecies of clo- 
ver, generally ranked as artificial grafles, frequently 
found growing fpontaneoufly together, perhaps within 
the compafs of one fquare yard •, nor is it uncommon to 
find more kinds of clover within the fame fpace. 

Mr. William Rofs, of Strabane, defervedly merits 
great applaufe, for his fkilful management of red and 
white clovers on a deep bog, which had been cut out. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 75 

The principal top-drefling was foaper's-wafle. This 
ufeful citizen has fhewn many proofs of his know- 
ledge and good economy in farming and irrigation, or 
watering of meadow and grafs lands, in the vicinity 
of Strabane. 



Sect. 8. Mode of Hay-making. 

The fmall lap-cock, of about ten or twelve pound 
weight, made up green is the common practice of the 
county, and alfo of the greater part of the North of Ire- 
land ; experience having taught the people, for many 
years, that the large grafs-cock, generally followed 
through many parts of the kingdom, is by no means f 
the mode fuitable to this county, and particularly in 
wet feafons, which are too frequently fo at the feafon 
of the year, that hay is ufually made up here, being 
feldom earlier than the firft of September, except in 
new laid down upland, mofl commonly in the vicinity 
of towns, where manures can be fpared for meadows. 
In fuch fituations, from the beginning of July to the 
beginning of Auguft is the ufual time for hay-making; 
but in all cafes of managing hay harveft, this work is 
never attacked early enough by the common farmers, 
who are not under thecontroul of gentlemen, or of fuch 
as are better informed than themfelves. There is on^ 
reafon, why the farmers permit their hay-grafs to re- 
main 



76 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

main fo long before they cut it ; it is this ; about trie 
beginning or latter end of April, their flock has con- 
fumed the whole of the fodder, the meadows are 
therefore kept open and grazed, until near the begin- 
ning of June, a bad practice ; confequently were the 
farmer to cut the hay, earlier than the latter end of 
Augufl, or beginning of September, the crop would 
be very fcanty, thefe months being reckoned for the 
growth of grafs. — Remedy — Let the farmer propor- 
tion his flock to the quantity of fodder he may have, 
which I believe is very feldom the cafe. 

When I flrfl faw this method of hay-making prac- 
tifed in this county, I mufl confefs, I thought it mofl 
abfurd, trifling, and tedious ; but I was foon convinced 
to the contrary, from a little experience and local 
knowledge. 

The flrfl thing to be done, after the hay is mown, is 
to go over the fwarth, and collect any weeds that may 
be, which at that time is eafily done. In low-land mea- 
dows, rufhes and fprit are generally the articles mofl 
injurious to hay ; and, as thefe are always longer than 
the grafs, they project fomewhat beyond the bulk of the 
fwarth, and may be readily felected from it, Both rufh- 
es and fprit make good thatch, and as that article is al- 
ways fcarce, great pains are taken to collect them for 
that purpofe. But when ruQies and fprit are not over 
abundant, the farmers arc not anxious to collect them, 
"but let them mix with the general mafs ; fome benefit 

accrues 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 77 

accrues from the addition of the fprit, but none at all 
from the ru(hes, which dwindle away, before the hay is 
brought into the haggard. Indeed at beft hay of this 
defcription is only fit for dry cows, and a running ftock 
of black cattle. Rumes are not fo good for thatch as 
fprit, the latter being tubulous, and of courfe better 
calculated to difcharge rain water than the former, 
which is pithy. 

In collecting the prime part of the grafs, after being 
mowed, for hay-feeds, much attention is fometimes 
paid; but this can only take place in the firft or fecond 
crop, after the land has been laid down; for future 
crops yield but very little feed. The white mea- 
dow grades are always moil prevalent, and are mofl 
fought after. In new laid down grounds of almofl 
every defcription, the white meadow grades generally 
predominate, for the firft and fecond feafons, and 
fhoot longer than the other grafles, which gives, an 
advantage in feparating them from the general mafs, as 
they project beyond the bulk of the fwarth. Of this 
difpofition thofe, who wifh to collect the feeds pure, 
avail themfelves, before the fwarth be broken out or 
Scattered . It is tied up in fmall (heaves, and placed to 
dry like (looks of corn, till the feeds are ripe, and fit to 
threih out. So much for economy with refpect to faving 
grafs-fecds, but to return : 

The great art, in making hay from natural grades, is 
to break out the fwarth thoroughly, by hand, and not 
by the lazy way of toiling it about with forks, and 

forked 



jS STATISTICAL SURVEY 

flicks, as is the cafe in the great hay countries in moft 
parts of the kingdom. Sometimes the fwarth is fuf- 
fered to remain for a day, before it be broke out, and 
ibme let it remain longer ; but fuch, as underftand this 
bufinefs perfectly, break out the fwarth immediately 
after the mowers, be the feafon dry or wet, unlefs the 
latter prevails too much, in which cafe the mowers 
are, of courfe, flopped. 

In good weather, grafs, cut in the morning, is made 
into lap-cocks in the afternoon, unlefs it be very heavy 
forced grafs, in which cafe more time mud be allowed, 
and frequent turnings. The feafon always determines 
the fize of the cocks ; in good weather, they may be 
about eighteen inches in the bafe diameter, but con- 
fiderably lefs in broken weather. When the weather 
is very much broken and unfettled, which is, indeed, 
often the cafe, the cocks are made hollow, fo as to re- 
femble a lady's muff, which figure has the power of 
turning the rain, befides admitting a thorough paffage 
for the air. 

If the weather be favourable, the hay will be fit, in 
a few days, to make up into large cocks, generally 
about half a ton. It rarely happens, however, that 
hay can be got up thus fuddenly, as the feafon for 
mowing natural meadows feldom takes place before 
the middle of Auguft, and, too frequently, not till the 
firft of September, when, moft commonly, the autum- 
nal rains greatly retard this bufinefs j in this cafe, the 

little 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 79 

little lap-cocks have always the advantage over every 
other fyflem of hay-making. 

It is amazing to find, what flavery and hardfhip 
thofe cocks will endure, before they are materially in- 
jured. I have frequently known them to remain a 
month together in the lap-cock ftate, and, after all, 
to have furTered very little. 

The whole fecret is, in making thofe cocks fecure at 
firft, and forming them into an even convex, to turn 
the rain with the greater eafe, and frequently changing 
their fituation, without breaking the firft fhape given 
-to them, whilft the grafs was green and frefh. If ever 
the furface be broken, after the lap-cock is firft made 
from the frefh grafs, the hay will furely fuffer in bad 
weather. It is the incruftation, which the frefti grafs 
foon acquires after being formed into lap-cocks, that 
fecures the whole, and in which lies the whole fecret; 
and this fhews how neceflfary it is to lap the hay as 
foon as poffible after being cut. 

In the hay-yard a rick is preferred to a cock, as the 
cxpence of thatching is lefs ; and, when hay is not cut, 
but pulled, there is certainly lefs wafte in a rick. 

Obfervations. 

A prejudiced notion almoft univerfally prevails 
throughout the county, and, I believe, through mofl 
•parts of the North of the kingdom, namely, that natu- 
ral 



8o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ral meadow, fuch as is fituatcd along brooks and 
rivers, Sec. mould not be mowed till after the dog- 
days, which may happen earlier or later in the feafon, 
but are generally confidered to be between the ift and 
20th of Auguft. This obfervation may fometimes hold 
good, but it very frequently happens that, immediately 
after the dog-days, wet weather commences ; befides, 
the oat-harveft ufually takes place about this time, or a 
little after, fo that both works interfere at once, which, 
of all things, fhould be avoided as much as poffible, 
as, in cafe of both meeting, the one muft certainly give 
way to the other, and, by fuch bad management, one, 
or, perhaps, both, are materially injured, or, at bed, 
got over in a flovenly manner. 

By being contented with one-third lefs hay, and 
taking a proper advantage of the feafon, fo as to have 
the other two-thirds fecured, before the prefs of the 
oat-harveft fhould take place, .would be found by far 
the beft economy. 

The above evil arifes from the fodder being con- 
fumed fo early in the fpring, which obliges the people 
to let their cattle have the run of the land, intended 
for meadow, perhaps to the firft of June. Green food, 
in the fpring feafon, would moft effe&ually prevent 
this difagreeeble circumftance. 



Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 81 



Sect. 9. Dairies — their produce. 

As far as I can learn, there is not a dairy in the 
county, for the public fale of milk and butter. 

The produce is chiefly milk and butter, as very little 
cheefe is made, except a little for family confumption, 
which is of an inferior quality. Butter, in the fummer 
feafon, is to be had frefh. in every town and village, 
raoft commonly at a dear rate, fometimes fo high as a 
fhilling a pound of eighteen ounces. It is a common 
practice with huxters and dealers, to reduce the pound 
of eighteen ounces to fixteen ounces (the ftandard), be- 
fore they retail it to the public. This is a grievance, 
which might be eafily remedied by the firft fellers, by 
making their pound only fixteen ounces, fmce they 
alone are the fufferers, and not the confumers. 

All the butter, the farmers can fpare in the fummer, 
is generally made up for winter and fpring ufe ; the 
produce of the county is generally confumed within 
itfelf. The maxim of the common people is, to live 
on buttermilk in fummer, aud referve the butter for 
winter ; this is certainly good economy, but it is not 
literally followed. 

Such part of the milk, when churned, or what is 

commonly called butter-milk, as can be fpared from 

g the 



S2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the family, is generally fold to labourers and poor 
weavers, commonly at one halfpenny a quart in fum- 
mer -, and befides, the butter-milk is generally adulte- 
rated with water, with which the poor people mufl 
difpenfe or want. Many farmers are, however, very 
liberal in bellowing part of the butter-milk to the 
poor. 

Vaft numbers of calves are reared throughout the 
county, which is the principal caufe of butter bearing 
fuch high prices ; a fecondary caufe is, the army {ra- 
tioned through the principal towns. 

Obfervathns. 

In countries, where milk and butter fell at high 
rates, there is no mode, by which a farmer could make 
more money, than by keeping a public dairy, or rather 
fupplying cows, for that purpofe, to a dairy-man. 

In many parts of the kingdom, the farmer fupplies 
the dairy-man with a certain number of cows, at fo 
much per cow, from the firfl of May to the firft of 
November 5 and, if a cow mould not prove to be a 
good milker, the farmer muft fupply a good one in her 
place. It is a fettled point between the parties, that 
each cow muft give fo many quarts of milk in the 
twenty-four hours, dimimfliing, of courfe, as the feafon 
advances. 

Five 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 83 

Five guineas a cow I confider a price for the feafon, 
by which both parties might have very ample profits. 
This ufed to be the price fome years ago about 
Drogheda, when milk and butter were cheaper than 
at prefent. But, in order to make this fubject fome- 
what intelligible, I mall fuppofe five guineas a cow to 
be a medium throughout the kingdom. 

For this purpofe good grafs, and changes of pafture, 
mould be kept up by the farmer; this, from the nature 
of the contract, mud neceffarily follow. 9 

I (hall fuppofe the cows bought in the beginning of 
May at feven guineas, and fold out in November at five 
guineas •, in this cafe there is a lofs of two guineas, 
but the dairyman pays the farmer five guineas, which 
leaves a clear profit to the latter of three guineas. 
Now as there muft be good grafs kept up, as already 
obferved, I (hall fet down three acres againfr. two 
cows, which (hews the farmer to be paid two guineas 
an acre for his land *, and, in cafe his rent be twenty 
millings an acre, it is clear his profit muft be very con- 
siderable, even allowing for lofTes incident to all cat- 
tle. This immenfe profit may thus be made, without 
fcarcely any expence attending it. 

I fhall ftate the dairyman's return as follows, which 
I confider more under than over the true ftatement, 
which, in this inftance, cannot be accurately afcer- 
tained. 

g 2 One 



4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

£. s. d. 

One pound of butter a day, for fix 

months, at $d. - - 6 16 6 

Twelve quarts of butter-milk, as flated 

for butter, a day, at 4d, - 308 



£-9 *7 « 
Deduct five guineas, 513 9 



£•4 3 5 



r-3° 


1 





40 


T 9 





30 


1 






I iiall fuppofe the number of cows to be 

twelve, - - - 50 1 o 

One man, and two women, to attend the 

dairy, I mall fet down at - 20 o o 



The farmer's return on twelve cows, 36 

guineas, - 

Dairy-man's return, 

£.10 18 o 

From the above flatement it appears, that the far- 
mer's profit /# is more confiderable than that of the 
dairy-man j but, upon the other hand, the latter runs 
no hazard, for, if a cow mould die, or meet with an 
accident in the field, he is not to be the fufFerer. 

The farmer has another advantage ; he may make 
fomefhing of his land, in the winter months, by flieep, 
arid a running ftock of black cattle. But the great 

point, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 85 

point, in favour of the farmer, is, how much his land 
will be improved by following this fyftem. 

It muft naturally occur to thofe, who might be in- 
clined to purfue this fyftem, that the vicinity of towns 
would be found moft eligible, on account of the vaft 
number of labourers and tradefmen, who live in fuch 
places, without having any means of keeping a cow* 
as, of courfe, all the town-parks muft be occupied by 
the wealthier part of the inhabitants. 



Sect. 10. Prices of Hides, Tallow, Wool, and 
Quantity fold. 

Hides. — This article varies very much with refpeft 
to price. In times of war, hides are always higher 
than in thofe of peace. Though this fade, may appear 
ftrange, from the great quantity of beef, that muft be 
exported in the former cafe, yet fo it is, and always, 
holds good. From this it muft be inferred, that war 
encreafes the value of leather to a confiderable degree. 
The price alfo differs according to the weight of the 
hide 5 one weighing eighty pounds may coft at the rate 
of 40/. by the hundred weight; when another, of 
feventy pounds, may coft only 35/. by the fame 
weight. The tanners have rules to go by, according 
to particular weights. A cow-hide fells generally 
higher, weight for Weight, than that of a bullock* 

Th* 



86 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The reader will pleafe to obfeTve, that I mean green 
or undreffed hides. The hide of a horfe fells for 
very little ; it is ufually bought^ by hand, 5/. or 6s, 
being the ufual price for the hide of a middle-fized 
horfe. Forty Shillings a hundred (ii2lb.) is the me- 
dium price for the hides of black rattle in general. 
Calf-fkins are generally fold by hand, from 3/. to 5/. 
It is impoilible to ftate, with any degree of accuracy, 
the number of hides fold in the feafon, fince the (kin of 
every beafl that may die is difpofed of, whether by a 
regular ccurfe of flaughtering, or by accident, or dis- 
orders. Some years, cattle fall off in greater num- 
bers by diforders, than in others. The profpect of a 
fcarcity of fodder caufes a greater number of cattle to 
be flaughtered, than would otherwife have beep the 
cafe. 

Though there are a great number of fmall tan-yards 
in the count} 7 , both in towns and country, yet a vaft 
quantity of tanned leather is annually brought from 
Dublin to all the principal towns. The Dublin leather 
always fells for a higher price than that manufactured 
in the county. Some years ago, a great deal of leather 
ufed to be feut to Dublin and elfewhere, but this prac- 
tice is now almoft given over. The great fcarcity of 
tanner's bark is likely to bring the tanning trade into 
difrepute. At prefent, almoft all the bark ufed in the 
county is imported. Mr. Hamilton's wood, in Mun- 
terloney, for many years back afforded the principal 

fupply 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 87 

fupply of bark, but at prefent thofe woods are nearly 
cat down. 

Great encouragement fhould be given for raifing 
birch and black fallow, for temporary relief; the price 
of the bark of birch and fallow is half that of oak. 

Tallow. — There is lefs variation in the price of this 
article, than in that of the former, as foap and candles 
are uniformly ufed, both in this and the neighbouring 
counties, which alfo contribute to regulate the price 
of tallow. 

Tallow at prefent bears a good price, as it has done 
for fome years back; the medium price is 3I. per hun- 
dred, (of 1 1 21b.) though it is fometimes fold by the 
long hundred (of i2olb;) but either modes make no 
difference to the feller or purchafer, as the price by 
the pound is always underflood. If candles rate at yd. 
a pound, tallow ufually fells at 6±d. per lb. and foap in 
proportion, but the latter is not fo high as the former, 
at leaft the common foap is not, but bleachers foap is 
dearer than the common fort. 

The quantity of tallow fold depends upon the num- 
ber of cattle killed, for fuch as die through poverty 
produce but very little tallow. 

Soap-chandlers are but few, but manufacturers of 
candles are in every town and village. No regular ac- 
counts are kept of the quantity of tallow, or fuit 
bought in, fcr'that it would be found impoflible, in this 
place, to form any accurate ftatement of the quantity 
annually fold. 

Aa 



88 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

As far as I can learn, the county is fufficient to Tup- 
ply itfeJf with foap and candles. 

Word. — Sixteen {hillings a Aone may be considered 
the average price for wool, for the laft ten years; 
1 61b. bemg ivfually allowed to the ftone. By retail 
wool generally fells at from I4d. to iSd. per pound. 

The county is by no means eminent for fheep, and 
fuch as they are, in no great quantity. Small fcattered 
flocks are to be met with, in the mountainy parts, in 
fummer, which in winter, are difperfed through the 
low-lands, without any diftincYion, fo as not to be con- 
fined to any particular diftricT:; for at that feafon, a 
kind of run-deal?' through many parts of the county, 
(and particularly the baronies of Strabane and Omagh) 
takes place, for want of good fences. If the owners 
know the number of their fheep, and have fome 
private mark on them, by which they may be able to 
diftinguifli them from their neighbours', they give 
themfelves no further trouble about them. In heavy 
fuows however, every perfon endeavours to collect his 
little flock to his habitation, but in this they are often 
difappointed. 

From the precarious manner, in which fheep are 
bred in this county, and as the owners of them gene- 
rally 

* Run-deaL or run-deal, is a term tifed, when feveral par- 
t'u ; re joined in a town-land, or part of it, without any per- 
manent mearing. Cattle in fuch fituations graze in common, 
but the crops are divided only by a narrow margin, of about 
a foot broad, left unploughed. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. % 

rally manufacture the wool for their own ufe, it is im- 
poflible to form any calculation as to the quantity fold. 
In every fair-town, large quantities of wool, from the 
weft of the kingdom, are to be met with, during the 
greater part of the fummer feafon, of which no regular 
entries are ever made, as it is in a great meafure fold 
by retail. 

The wool of the country, and all that is brought 
into it, is chiefly made up into cloth, blankets, and 
druggets. The farmers, who are in general linen-wea- 
vers, confume the greater part of the cloth, and blan- 
kets ; the druggets are worn by the poorer clafs of 
women; the cloth is generally yard wide, and of a 
very good quality. The people are all expert in dyeing 
for their own common purpofes; they dye various 
colours, but blue is their favourite. 

The labouring part, and the pooreft of the weavers, 
provide themfelves with coarfe cloth, or rather frize 
in the country (hops; they fometimes buy a cloth cal- 
led ratteen, which commonly wears well. In the 
fhops alfo, the poorer clafs is principally fnpplied with 
coarfe blankets and ftockings, which are chiefly manu- 
factured in Connaught. The county of Donegal fup- 
plies large quantities of coarfe ftockings. 



CHAP. 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP. IV. 



FARMS, 



Sect. i. Size of Farms. 

THE fize of farms differs very much throughout 
the county; mountainous farms are generally of great 
extent, and are feldom divided in themfelves, or even 
from each other. It is common for feveral perfons 
to be concerned in one town-land, in the way of com- 
mon, or run-dale, as it is ufually called; each perfon 
to pay a proportion of rent, fuppofe a fourth, or a 
fifth, as the cafe may be; this determines the quantity 
of land each is to cultivate for his own part ; but the 
cattle run in common, and the number, to the fhare of 
each perfon, is alfo determined by his proportion of 
the rent. 

This fyflem is attended with many inconveniencies 
to the land-holder, and is the greateft impediment to 
improvements. There is no emulation for draining, 

enclofing, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 9 i 

enclosing, liming, or carrying into execution any per- 
manent improvements, as long as this fyftem exifts, 
fince none of the party have any divifion, which may 
be properly called their own. If one perfon mould 
be difpofed to improve, another, or perhaps the whole 
party, may be averfe to it, and thus the bufinefs of 
improving the farm is dropped altogether. 

Among the many claufes in leafes, one to oblige 
tenants to divide their farms mufl certainly be of ufe. 
I believe there is a law in exiflence, with refpect to 
mearings, which backs an active tenant, if he mould 
be difpofed to make up his part of the mearing, though 
his neighbours mould be againft. it. I fee no reafon, 
why an a&ive, enterprifing man, who may be con- 
cerned in the run-deal fyflem, mould not have the 
law to fupport him, as that relative to mearings. 

Wherever divifions have taken place among tenants 
occupying fuch tracts, improvements are very confpi- 
cuoufly gaining ground, and efpecially in cafes of long 
leafes, or when the tenant has an afTurance, that his 
land will be let to him again, at a reafonable rent, at 
the expiration of his leafe. 

The low lands of the eftates of Newtown-ftewart 
and Aughentaine, the property of Lord Mountjoy, are 
•in general well divided, and in many parts well planted 
with thorn quicks, and timber trees. Farms vary in 



9* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

fize from five to fifty acres, and they are much 
greater in the mountainous parts. 

In thofe eftates for many years back, leafes of no 
tnore than twenty-one years could be given by the 
two laft proprietors; yet, notwithftanding, the tenants 
went on with fpirit and mduftry, in the improvement 
of their farms; this they did, from a confidence they 
had in a good old modus, namely, that their land 
would never be given away to another tenant, fo long 
as they were able and willing to pay a reafonable 
raifed rent ; this confideration has had alfo a good ef- 
fecl:, with refpect to dividing the town-lands into fub- 
divifions, fo as that each individual knew his own 
part to a certainty. It is now in contemplation to give 
leafes of lives and thirty- one years, which, no doubt, 
will be found a more powerful inducement for the te- 
nants to improve their farms, than the prefent fyftem 
of twenty-one years. 

As a fpecimen of the induftry of the tenantry 
of the Newtown-ftewart eftate (confifling of near 
twenty-four fhoufand plantation acres) perhaps in this 
place it may not be improper to ftate the following 
Faft, which I can .vouch from my own knowledge. 

From 1795 to 1799, koth vears included, it is well 
known, that the difpofitions of the yeomanry of the 
kingdom were but very little turned towards improve- 
ments, at leaft by far the greater part of them ; yet 
within the above periods, I have given, from the nur- 

feries 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 53 

feries at Rafh, upwards of one hundred thoufand forefl 
trees, to the tenants of the eftate, principally oak, afh, 
alder, birch, fycamore, and mountain afti. The greater 
part of the above were planted in the faces of new ditch* 
es quick-wife^ and generally mixed with thorn quicks. 
The timber trees were in general four years old, being 
two years tranfplanted, and always cut clofe after 
being put into the ditches. A trufty experienced per- 
fon from the demefne always fuperintends this bu- 
finefs, to fee that the plants be fecurely bedded, 
moulded, &c. 

I mention this circumftance, in order to fhew, how 
little the people of this part of the county were tainted 
with bad principles. Since the troubles ceafed, howe- 
ver, they have more than doubled their diligence, in 
every fpecies of improvement within their fphere. 

The county may be faid to confift of three degrees 
of farms. The greater part of the baronies of Dun- 
gannon and Clogher are compactly divided, from ten 
to forty acres, and the fences are in general good. 
Farms of this defcription never fail from being of the 
moft general ufe to the community, becauf- the middle- 
man* is moft commonly out of the queftion, in farms 
of this defcription. 

The next degree of the fize of farms is that fre-^ 
quently beyond the reach of the holder to manage, or 

make 

* The middle-man is next the landlord, who lets the 
land to uader-tenanu at a rack-rent. 



94 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

make the moft of, by fair labour or induftry. Hence 
arifes the baneful practice of taking in under-tenants ; 
no matter how poor, or of what character, provided 
the middle-man gets his rent; but in this he is fre- 
quently difappointed, and often little lamented. Thofe 
wretched under-tenants work the land by repeated 
cropping, till it is capable of yielding no more -, they 
then generally run away, with whatever fpoil they can 
make, moft commonly a year's rent. 

There are fome inftances however, where the mid- 
dle-man may be of more general ufe to the community 
than the landlord. If the former be pofTefTed of a long 
lucrative leafe, his intereft in the foil may be better 
than that of the latter ; in this cafe he will find it his 
intereft to deal reafonably with fleady under-tenants. 
A lord of a foil, which perhaps he never faw, nor 
intended feeing; with a receiver, who may be alfo a 
flranger to every kind of country bufinefs, and whofe 
knowledge is confined to that only of receiving rents, 
and contriving the beft ways and means to augment 
them ; are not the moft likely perfons to promote the 
general welfare of the community. For this county, 
it is very fortunate to have but few, if any, of that 
defcription. 

The third degree of farms are commonly too fmall. 
Though this fyftem is not altogether fo deftructive to 
the land as the former, yet it is a bar to a regular 
courfe of induftry. The man, who holds a few acres, 

perhaps 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 95 

perhaps of bad land, can 'make no figure as a farmer; 
his fituation as a labourer, with a comfortable cot- 
take immediately under the lord of the foil, is much 
preferable, having no difficulties to encounter* nor 
being under any difagreeable anxiety. 



Sect. 2. Farm-houfes and Offices. 

There is much more attention paid to dwelling- 
houfes throughout the county, tfian to the offices be- 
longing to them. In many parts, the dwelling-howfes 
are built with lime and flone 5 but by far too many 
are built with clay-mortar as a cement. In the angles 
of the houfes, jaumbs of doors, &c. lime-mortar is 
commonly ufed, in order to flrengthen the walls ; but, 
notwithftanding, the walls frequently bulge outwards, 
wherever clay-mortar is concerned. 

In the barony of Dungannon, many houfes are built 
of clay, or what they call mud- walls, but, in general, 
in a flovenly manner, by no means equal to the mud- 
wall houfes we frequently meet with in the county of 
Dublin. When mud-wall houfes are well built, they 
are much warmer than houfes built of lime and flone ; 
they are not, however, adapted for this county, as the 
clay is not well calculated for the purpofe of build'- 
ing •, but the principal caufe. is, that they confume too 

much 



$6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

much flraw for thatch, &c. on which account they 
leiTen the quantity of manure, a practice we mould 
always guard againft. 

Walls of ftone houfes are generally built too nar- 
row to fupport the roof, and efpecially when the 
mixed cements are ufed, that is, partly lime- mortar, 
and partly clay-mortar. The fide-walls feldom exceed 
twenty-two inches in thicknefs, and the end-walls 
about two feet. The fide- walls mould be two feet 
four inches at bottom, and reduced to twenty-two 
inches at top, which is generally at the height of fevea 
or eight feet from the furface. The battering, or re- 
duction of the thicknefs of the wall, mould be all on 
the outfide, and the infide face mould be perpendicu- 
lar ; an inch of battering, to every foot in height, is 
not too much. This is the moll effectual means to 
prevent the walls from bulging or fpreading. The 
fame precaution mould be ufed in houfes or cabins, 
when the roof is hipped, or half hipped j but, through 
the county, the generality of houfes are built with 
thorough gables. 

There are fome flated houfes and offices to be met 
with in fome parts of the county, which, from appear- 
ances and other circumftances, are likely to encreafe. 
The few already built fufficiently prove, what faving 
there may be in the article of Itraw, one-third of 
which, I dare fay, is applied to thatching throughout 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 07 

the county 5 but, if flaring became once univerfal> this 
quantity would, of courfe, go to encreafe the fund of 
manure. 

Mode of repairing Houfes and Offices, whether by Landlord 
or Tenant. 

The repairing of houfes and offices generally falls 
upon the tenant; there are very few inftances to the 
contrary ; hence we find buildings in general fo much 
out of repair, or repairs done fo flovenly. 

Where the tenures are but (hort, and renewals at 
all precarious, it cannot be expected that the occupier 
will be at any great expence, in point of building or 
repairing houfes ; his only object mufl be, how to 
make the mod he can of an uncertain tenure. 

All the covenants, that may be entered into at the 
taking out of fliort leafes, are of little or no effecT: with 
refpecl: to buildings. If there are buildings, the en- 
forcing the keeping of them comfortable, or in any 
kind of decent order, is out of the queftion ; a thou- 
fand excufes will be made out by the tenant for non- 
performance, and the landlord has no remedy left, but 
to turn him out, and, in doing this, he has a chance of 
lofing part of his rent, and, probably, may meet ano- 
ther not better than the former. 

There are only two effectual means of fecuring com- 
fortable buildings, and, in fact, to have any degree of 

h juftice 



9$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

jufHce done to farms ; namely, long leafes, or, a cer- 
tainty of the occupying tenant always having the pre- 
ference given to him at the expiration of a fhort leafe. 
The fyftem of giving long leafes (fuppofe thirty-one 
years, or three lives) is certainly the heft mode in this 
county, as there is feldom found that degree of con- 
fidence between landlord and tenant, which in Eng- 
land has been fo happily experienced for ages back, 
and, in all probability, will be the cafe to the end of 
time. How happy would be the fituation of thoufands 
of our yeomanry, were they upon the fame footing of 
many of the Englifh, in point of good underflanding 
between party and party, or landlord and tenant ? 

In many parts of England, a good old rule is punc- 
tually obferved, namely •, one-third of the produce of 
a farm for the lord of the foil ; one-third for wear and 
tear ; and one-third for the cultivator of the foil. Here 
we have but few inftances of this equitable mode. 

In England there is nothing more common, than to 
have no leafes at all between parties, but only to go on 
from year to year, and raife the rent occafionally, as 
the nature of the cafe may be, or (hall be found agree- 
able to the parties concerned. 



Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 99 



Sect. 3. Nature of Tenures* 

I take for granted, that the information, required 
on this head, chiefly alludes to cottiers, and the poorer 
clafs of farmers. Tenures, refpecting the better clafs 
of farmers, I Ihall referve for the article, General fate 
of Leafes. 

The tenures of the cottiers, who derive under the 
farmers, and are by far the moil numerous of the 
labouring clafs, are in general very miferable, though 
the greater part of them are weavers, but do not pur- 
fue that trade regularly. 

The cot-take generally confifts of half an acre of oats; 
half a rood, or twenty fquare perches of flax ; from 
half a rood to a rood of potatoes ; grazing of a cow ; 
moft commonly a miferable cabin, and bog privilege 
for turf, from twenty to forty kiflies, and fometimes a 
fmall garden. Five pounds a year is generally paid 
for the above. The farmer ploughs the land for oats 
and flax, and fometimes puts" out the dung for pota- 
toes ; and, if he gives the manure, the cot-take is fel- 
dom lefs than five guineas. 

The general rule is, that the labourer pays the far- 
mer in work, inftead of cafli ; and the latter is fure to 
make his bargain fo, as that the fpring and autumn 

h 2 feafons 



too STATISTICAL SURVEY 

feafons mull be the times of payment. Many of the 
farmers are weavers of the firft rate; thefe are fuch as 
keep three or four looms in their houfes, and have 
poorer weavers alfo at work for them-, in this cafe, the 
latter generally pay the former the amount of the cot- 
take in weaving; moft commonly, part is paid by 
weaving in the winter feafon, and part by common la- 
bour in the feafons already mentioned. 



Sect. 4. General State of Leafes. 



Twenty-one year leafes are moft prevalent through- 
out the large eftates ; there are, however, many leafes 
of other defcriptions, but very few lefs than twenty- 
one years, except bishop's leafes. 

In travelling through the country, the lands, held 
under long leafes (fuch as thirty-one years, or lives, 
which I confider long), are eafily diftinguifhed from 
thofe of fhort tenures, from the advanced Hate of the 
improvements, fo confpicuous in the former. But this 
obfervation only holds good, where no third perfon is 
in queftion, which, indeed, is too often the cafe, as 
fuch part of the land, held under rack-rent, can never 
improve, fo long as it remains fo circumftanced. 

A large portion of the county is bifhop's land, fub- 
ject to various modes of renewing leafes, but all of 

ihort 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. lot 

fhort tenures •, yet, notwithftanding, we find farmers 
very comfortably fettled in well-built habitations, and 
frequently with fome planting about them. This chief- 
ly arifes from the punctuality of renewing, and, proba- 
bly, from the lands not being over-let, and that the 
progreflive rife is more regular and uniform than in 
other cafes. But this obfervation is very limited ; it holds 
good fo far as the tenant holds a complete farm from 
the bifhop, fufficient only to fupport himfelf and fa- 
mily. By far the greater part of bifhop's lands are 
rented by gentlemen, and opulent farmers, in large 
tracts ; hence, of courfe, the third perfon rauft ftep in, 
whofe fate muft, in general, be more deplorable, than 
when circumftanced under other cafes of rack-rent. 
In this there can be no redrefs, on account of the 
fhortnefs of the tenure ; whereas, in cafe of an under- 
tenant deriving under the fecond perfon, with a long 
leafe, he may have fome chance, becaufe this fecond 
perfon has a good intereft in the foil, perhaps a better 
than the lord of it, which has been already obferved. 

There are inftances of bifliop's intereft being pur- 
chafed ; I do not know, how far this may tend to alle- 
viate the diftrefs of the third perfon *, it depends, in a 
great meafure, on the humanity of the purchafer. 

From hence it is evident, that the improvement of 
bifhop's lands can never keep pace with their proper- 
ties, except upon a confined fcale, as has been re- 
marked. 



102 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

marked. Glebes, unlefs fuch as are wholly impro- 
priate, have no better chance than bifhop's lands. 



Of particular Claufes in Leafes. 

It would be found an endlefs tafk to enumerate all 
the claufes, inferted in the leafes given by the different 
proprietors of the county. Almoft every man of landed 
property has his own particular claufes. Thofe in com- 
mon are the following. 

i. A refer ve to the proprietor, and his affignees, of 
all manner of game, and other royalties, mines and 
minerals, as coals, quarries of all forts, fprings, wa- 
ter, water-courfes, turbaries, and ail timber, whether 
over or under ground. 

2. Covenant to do fuit and fervice at manor-court, 
and to grind corn at manor-mill. 

3. To join with neighbouring tenants to make fuiE- 
cient fences. 

4. To make new ditches, and plant trees and 
quicks, 

5. To permit landlord to fearch for mines. 

6. Not to alienate or mortgage, under penalty. 

7. To oblige tenants to reftore to the premifes all 
dung made thereon. 

8. To exhibit and prove lives in leafes, to exift at 
Hated periods. 

Innumerable 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 103 

Innumerable other claufes might be named ; but 
there is one in particular, which, in my opinion, mould 
be fcouted altogether, at leaft from the generality of 
leafes. This is the claufe, which binds the tenant to 
fupply duty men and horfes y and other dues, too fhameful 
to mention. Men and horfes are always exacted at 
bufy feafons, which mud: act againft the tenant. The 
lofs of a few men and horfes, in a dormant feafon, 
might not be much felt; but this is not the object of 
the landlord, becaufe cutting and drawing home turf, 
corn, 2c c. are the works principally laid out to be per- 
formed by duty. 

I have had many opportunities of obferving the ef- 
fects of this kind of duty, and, on the whole, I am cer- 
tain, that the landlord is rather a lofer, than a gainer, 
by this kind of dealing. A dinner, and plenty of 
whifkey, are generally given upon thofe occafions j 
and, when it is confidered how little work is done, the 
balance will moil commonly be found againft the land- 
lord. The tenant is generally bound to give fo many 
men and horfes, and he will take care to come as late 
in the day as he can, and work as little as poflible for 
the remainder of the day : with him a day's w T ork is 
the object, ano^ the lefs he does, he looks upon to be 
the better for tiimfelf. In fome cafes, the tenants are 
bound to perform duty upon a different footing from 
actual day's work : the landlord muft have his works, 
as fpecified in the leafe, performed by the tenantry in 

coramoi), 



104. STATISTICAL SURVEY 

common, according to the rent they pay ; but, let the 
obligation, or the mode of performing this bufinefs, be 
as it may, it is always attended to with the greatefl re- 
luctance. The fooner this feudal relick is aboliftied, the 
better it will be found for all thofe concerned ; though 
I am not without apprehenfion, that many of my 
readers will not join me in opinion. 

Inftead of filling up leafes with poor infignificant 
claufes, which anfwer no fubftantial end, fome good fa- 
lutary claufes might be introduced ; fuch as binding the 
tenant, under a fevere penalty, to drain, enclofe, lime, 
marie, &c; alfo, to attend to certain courfes of green 
and white crops. Such are the claufes, by which both 
parties would foon find benefit ; and with which, on a 
certainty of reafonable leafes, tenants would chearfully 
comply. 



Sect. 5. Taxes or Cejfts paid by Tenanu. 

The taxes are •, ceiTes for the fupport of roads, 
bridges, &c. The cefs for roads is laid on the barony, 
to which they belong ; other cefTes on the county at 
large. Though thole taxes are fometimes confidered 
a grievance, yet, in general, they are paid more chear- 
fully than any other fpecies of tax, both on account 
of the benefits the public derive from roads and 
bridges, and alfo the advantage the circulation and re- 
turn of money is to the tenantry of eftates, who are 

always 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 105 

always the executers of the public works ; fo that 
the money they pay returns back to themfelves. 

Hearth-money and window taxes are always con- 
fidered a grievance among the poorer clafs, and are 
frequently paid with murmur and difcontent, as their 
ideas are, that no future advantage can derive to them 
for money fo laid out; they never confider, that fuch 
taxes are for the fupport of a government, which pro- 
tects them and their property. 

There are other taxes fettled by acts of vefhy, for 
the repairs of houfes of worfhip, paying fextons, &c; 
but thefe affect the individual, only in a very fmall 
degree. 

Sect. 6. Proportion of working Horfes or Bullocks, 
to thefize of Farms, 

With refpect to the proportion of cattle to the fize 
of farms, there is no fixed flandard or rule. A farm 
of twenty acres may require as many cattle to cul- 
tivate it, as another of fifty acres, according to the 
quantity of arable land the farm may contain. Few 
bullocks are made ufe of. Except in large farms, two 
or three horfes are about the number ufually employ- 
ed. Very little ploughing is performed till after Chrifr- 
mas, of courfe the fewer cattle are neceffary. Draw- 
ing turf and manure occupies more time in the year, 
than ploughing. Occupiers of fmall farms generally 

lend 



ic>6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

lend and borrow horfes, to and from each other, and 
efpecially when the farmer has but one horfe, which 
in fmall farms is frequently the cafe. 



SECT. 7. General fixe of fields and enclofures* 

Fields and enclofures vary according to circum- 
fiances. In the vicinities of towns, they are general-, 
ly fmall, from one to five acres and upwards. 

The nature of the fituation is frequently (or mould 
he) a guide for the fize of enclofures; expofed afpetts 
require enclofures to be fmall, the better to fecure fhel- 
ter, and wet fwampy land mufl be always improved 
by fmall enclofures ; at leafl the expence of draining is 
lefTened. Thefe are points, pretty well underftood 
by the generality of the farmers of this county. 

Upon a great fcale, the beft improved parts of the 
county, with refpecl to regular and ufeful enclofures, 
are the greater part of the baronies of Dungannon, 
and Clogher. 

Between Omagh and Drumquin, for two or three 
miles from the former; and from Omagh to Dromore; 
and alfo from Omagh to Fintona, may be fet down 
in general, as being well divided, and in fome parts 
planted with quick-fet, but very few forefl trees. The 
farmers throughout Lord Mountjoy's efrate, chiefly in 
barony of Strabane, are making rapid fhides in 

point 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 107 

point of enclofures, generally fmall, from one to "fix 
acres; and very few enclofures are formed, without 
being planted with thorn quicks, and timber trees. 

About Cooks-town the enclofures are very regular, 
and judicioufly laid out in town-parks, and upon an 
extenfive fcale, which, with many other ufeful and ex- 
tenfive improvements, reflect the greateft honour on 
the late and prefent proprietors. 



Sect. 8. Nature of Fences. 

The nature of fences varies with circumftances, 
or locality of fituations. 

In mountanous fituations, where ftones are plenty, 
dry walls, badly built, are commonly made ufe of. 
Where culture is in queftion, this mode ferves two 
ends, namely firft, by clearing the land of ftones, and 
fecondly/ for fences to divide it; on this account, if the 
ftones be found very numerous, the enclofures are 
made fmall, and the walls very thick, at bottom 
fometimes four feet, and commonly four feet high. 
This the farmers confider a cheaper mode, than that 
of drawing part of the ftones away altogether, in 
which they are perfectly right when over-ftocked with 
ftones, which in thofe fituations is ufually the cafe. 

When ftones are not found fufficiently plenty to 
form dry walls, fod-walls are introduced, fometimes 

Whea 



io8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

with a ftone foundation; the fods are laid edge-ways, 
and built about four feet high, and fometimes topped 
with furze. Such perifhable walls require to be re- 
newed every fecond or third year, but this is not con- 
fidered expenfive, as the old fods mixed with dung, 
and fometimes lime, anfwer extremely well for ma- 
nure for potatoes, and fometimes as a top-drefling for 
grafs-land. 

Bogs and fwampy fituations are generally divided 
from arable land by large drains, fo as to divide the 
fummer pafture, and confine the cattle to the bogs at 
that feafon; but this mode is chiefly confined to fertile 
bogs, as fpungy quaking bogs are feidom acceifible, 
except in very dry feafons. 

The mode of fencing by common ditches is in ge- 
neral very bad; they are fo ill built, that they frequently 
tumble down the firft winter after being built. The di- 
menfions are always too fmall, five feet wide, and 
three feet deep, for the gripe is the general fize; of 
courfe, the bank muft be very poor. For want of an 
off-fet, # the thorn quicks, if planted at all, are left quite 
bare after the firft winter, and too frequently little 

pains 

*An off-fet, or fear cement, (the latter is the country phrafe) 
is a fpace, which fhould be left between the verge of the gripe, 
and the face of the bank, from fix to twelve inches, accord- 
ing to the nature of the foil, or the pofition of the ditch. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 109 

pains are ever taken afterwards to afford them any 
relief. About towns however, we fometimes meet 
with good hedges, which are better attended to than 
throughout the county at large: this is owing to the 
narrow fcale townfpeople are generally concerned in, 
and the neceffity they are under of fecuring their fmall 
concerns, on account of the high rents they ufually 
pay. Though about towns they never attend to the 
leaving of a fcarcement, they notwithflanding, by pa- 
tience and perfeverance, get up the hedge through 
time; if the ditch mould flip or give way, which in- 
deed is almoft always the cafe, they patch up from the 
bottom of the gripe, with fods, ftones, &c. to meet 
the quick. 

Hence it is plain, that for feveral years there rauft 
be perpetual trouble and expenfe, whereas a reafon- 
able fcarcement would have faved both. 

When I come to treat of Lord Mountjoy's im- 
provements at large, the article, fences, (hall be fully 
treated of, according to the different modes, which 
were found neceflary to be adopted in thofe extenfive 
concerns. 

Mode of hedge-rows, and keeping hedges. 

Hedge-rows are rarely met with in this county, 
and the few, which occur, are but flovenly managed. 
In moft cafes they are let to run at random, without 

taking 



no STATISTICAL SURVEY 

taking any pains to manage the trees, by directing 
their heads to the right or to the left, fo as to aflift 
the quick-fet with a free circulation of air; which is a 
fecret our people know nothing of. In fome cafes the 
trees have been lopped too feverely, and in many in- 
ftances have been pollarded, to the great deftrucYion 
of the timber. 

In fhort there is very little attention paid to the 
old timber, in hedge-rows, fcarce as it is. I hope 
however, it may not be the cafe in future with the 
young growth, as moft of the farmers and others, who 
plant, have got into the habit of planting quick-wife, 
mofl commonly mixed with thorn quicks, inftead of 
planting tall, aukward, and ill rooted flandards at the 
backs and tops of ditches, where they are always ex- 
pofed to cattle and other infults and accidents. As to 
the keeping of hedges in a neat, garden-like order, 
either by fquare or taper clipping, it is quite out of the 
queftion, except in fome particular places, fuch as 
about towns, and fome few farm-houfes of the firft 
clafs ; but all are attached to the old mode of cutting 
hedges, which caufes them to be always bare at bot- 
tom. Hedges are feldom cleaned more than one or 
two feafons, after being planted, and then are left to 
chance. 

The precarious manner of procuring thorn quicks, 
from Dublin, very often of 'a bad quality, and al- 
moft always materially injured, by being too long out 

of 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. in 

of ground, with bad packing, and at the mercy of 
indolent carmen, mull be always a bar to this improve- 
ment, but of this I (hall fpeak more fully in another 
place. 



Sect. 4. Nature of Manures, 

Under the article Mode of Culture, I have made 
fome remarks on common manures, to which I refer. 

With refpect to mixed manure, (a kind of compofr. 
commonly made up of common dung, mud, or mire, 
backs of ditches, fcrapings of ftreets and roads, and 
other materials, fuch as can be collected, and fome- 
times lime) the farmers and cottiers of this county are 
not inferior to thofe of any part of the kingdom, The 
abundant crops of potatoes to be met with, in all parts 
of the county, are convincing proofs of what induftry is 
ufed in the various ways and means of collecting ma- 
nures, becaufe without manures, in our very bell foils, 
there can be no chance of fecuring a tolerable crop of 
potatoes, and the mixed manures are always found the 
belt, and if a little lime can be added, it is found ftill 
better ; but lime alone, without being mixed with other 
materials, is not found to anfwer for potatoes in mofl 
cafes j but there have been inftances of ftrong old leas, 
when early ploughed, and roche lime turned in, produ- 
cing 



ii2 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

cing large crops of potatoes, without any additional 
manure. To anfwer this end mod effectually, the belt 
feafon to plough in the lime is July or Auguft, and let 
the land remain in that ftate till fpring, when it mould 
be ploughed again, and well harrowed, the better to 
mix the lime effectually. 

The practice of burning moory foils, and rich black 
bog, is univerfal throughout the county, nor did I ever 
hear of any caufe of regret from purfuing this fyftem, 
which in this county is very ancient. Excellent crops 
of potatoes are generally procured by this mode, and 
that frequently without any other additional manure. 
Dung and compoft, however, are moft frequently mix- 
ed with the afhes, and fometimes lime, as, in this cafe, 
corn crops are certain to fucceed after potatoes, at leaft 
one good crop, which would be found uncertain, had 
the potatoe crop depended upon the afhes alone. 

No manure operates more powerfully the firft feafon 
than afhes, nor is there any fpecies of manure lefs 
abiding. 

Manuring meadows by irrigation or watering, is 
finding way faft through many parts of the county. 
From the trials, which have been already made, and 
the great benefits refulting from them, there is every 
reafon to hope, that this falutary fyftem will fhortly 
become general. 

Confidering how rich this county is in limeftone, yet 
lime, as a manure, is upon a limited fcale. Binding 

claufes 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 113 

claufes in leafes would, no doubt, remedy this in fome 
meafure. If inltead of the forry lime-kilns, commonly 
called pot kilns, which we find fcattered through the 
county, fubftantial draw-kilns were introduced, there 
would not be the leaft danger, but that lime would foon 
become a univerfal manure. For many years back, I 
have had roche lime, from ten pence to thirteen pence 
a barrel, of thirty-fix gallons, whereas it is a well 
known fact, that the farmers, in general, pay from one 
(hilling and eight pence, to two {hillings and two pence, 
in their peddling way of working their pot-kilns. 

A lime-kiln of what I call the compofite kind, or that 
compofed of partly an inverted cone, and partly a cylin- 
der, is certainly the beft conftrucYion. The beft in the 
county is at Rafh, defigned feveral years ago by the late 
bifhop of Clogher, which conduction has fince extend- 
ed to other parts of the kingdom. The dimenfions of the 
kiln at Rafh are as follows : the conical part eight feet 
high, and the diameter at bottom about eighteen inches ; 
the cylindrical part of the fame height as the cone, 
making altogether fixteen feet. The diameter of the 
cylinder, and of courfc the largefl diameter of the cone, 
is eight feet. The fuel ufed is turf, and, when well 
attended, it will turn out about fifty barrels of roche 
lime, in the twenty-four hours. There is a lime-houfe 
attached to this kiln, of forty feet by twenty, height of 
the walls fourteen feet ; it is dated, and coft in the year 
1791 fixty guineas. The kiln was built feveral years 
1 before, 



U4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

before, and coft fifty-fix pounds. If built at this time, 
they certainly would come higher. Were I to build 
another kiln, and that my fituation could afford it, I 
would prefer twenty feet, for the whole height, to fix- 
teen feet, or I would rather have the cylindrical part 
eleven feet, and the conical part nine feet. 

A kiln of this defcription, when well attended, might 
afford lime fufficient for perhaps thirty or forty farmers 
of the firfl rate. Now fuppofe the whole coft, at this 
day, might be about two hundred pounds, furely this 
fum laid on forty large farms, in addition to the rents, 
could never affect the farmers in any degree, propor- 
tionable to the advantages they would derive from 
always having lime at certain and cheap rates. 

In purfuance of an original plan of the late Lord 
Mountjoy's, a large lime-kiln and lime-houfe are now 
building in a central part of the eflate of Newtown* 
flewart, the object of which is to fell lime, to the 
tenantry of the eflate only, at a reafonable price, not 
exceeding fourteen pence a barrel. This cannot fail in 
obtaining the defired ends, namely, in enabling the 
tenant to lay on more lime than what he could, in 
other refpects, ever have any chance of doing, and of 
courfe in raifing the value of the landed property. The 
good effects, which may arife from this mode, cannot 
be doubted ; they are already fufficiently proved by a 
fimilar practice, followed for feveral years back by a 
neighbouring gentleman, Mr. Stewart of Stranorlar, 
in the county of Donegal. 

Marie 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. ne 

Marie is rather fcarce in the county, particularly in 
the baronies of Strabane and Omagh ; nor do I find 
it is a favourite object of the farmers, though I have 
experienced wonderful effects from it, feveral yearsr 
ago, in the demefne of Rafh, on a dry foil. 

Many parts of the baronies of Dungannon and 
Augher abound with lime-ftone gravel, yet I find it 
is not ufed in any proportion, equal to what it mould 
be. 



Sect, i o. Mode of Draining. 

Open drains are in common ufe, only temporary to 
fave the crops in moiil fituations, when the latter end 
of the fpring happen to be wet. 

The fecret of hollow draining is very little under- 
ftood in any part of the county, much lefs the inter- 
cepting, or cutting off fprings. Sod drains are not 
known in the county. 

Some farmers, in forming ditches, take advantage of 
the fituation of the ground, fo as to anfwer a double 
purpofe, namely, that of enclofing and draining, but 
this fyftem is by no means purfued fo fully as might 
be wiihed for *, it is however gaining ground. 

Though, in point of conveniency and regularity, the 
following the courfes of fprings with ditches, fo as to 
i 2 anfwer 



ti6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

anfvver the purpofe of both enclofing and draining, may 
be eonfidered an aukward manner of difpofing of the 
fields and enclofures, yet, in wet and expofed fituations, 
:t mould be preferred to any regular mode, for the fol- 
lowing good reafons. Firft, draining the land is con- 
fiderably, if not wholly diminifhed, by the act of en- 
clofing : fecondly, fhelter is rendered more complete, 
by following the natural and meandering courfes of 
the fprings : and thirdly, when thofe ditches are 
planted with forefl-trees, the fhelter is not only more 
complete, but the whole fpace, as far as the improve- 
ments are carried on, appears a folid body "of planting 
from many points of view. 

By attending to thofe natural circumfiances, and 
planting a few trees in the interferons of fields, which 
might be always done at very little expence, both 
beauty and profit would always be the reward of the 
proprietor. 

In general, attention is paid to the draining of fertile 
bogs, fo far as they are connected with, or lie conveni- 
ent to arable land. In fuch fituations, immediately at 
the junction of the bog and arable, the foil fcarcely 
ever fails to be rich and fertile, and particularly if the 
arable rifes boldly over the bog. Draining in fuch 
cafes is not the great object of the farmer ; his aim is 
manure for his farm, in which he is feldom difappointed. 
Some more prudently attend to both objects, manure 

and 



OF THE* COUNTY OF TYRONE. 117 

and draining the bog below, and, in fuch fituations, 
natural fprings frequently occur, and are in general 
eafily intercepted. 

When I come to treat of Lord Mountjoy's improve- 
ments at large, I fhali have an occafion to enlarge upon 
this fubjec>, that being the only part of the county, 
where this fpecies of improvement is carried on to any 
great extent, 



CHAP- 



Ji8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAPTER V, 



POLITICAL ECONOMY. 



Sect. I. Roads and Bridges* 



ROADS and bridges are generally well attended to 
by the gentlemen of the county, many of whom are 
excellent judges of fuch public works, and take great 
pains to have them well executed. Very few counties 
in the kingdom can boaft of better or more convenient 
roads ; fome parts of the poll: road, however, between 
Monaghan and Strabane are an exception ; but thofe 
, parts are intended to be improved. I have accompa- 
nied Captain Taylor, fome time ago, on the poft-road 
between Omagh and Newtown-ftewart, and then ap- 
proved very much of the new line he adopted ; but fince 
having weighed this matter well, I am ftrongly of opi- 
nion, that the propofed line fhouid be on the eafl fide 

the 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 119 

of the river, the whole way from Omagh to Newtown- 
ftewart. The limits of this work cannot afford to ftiew 
my reafons in this place, but, if called upon at a future 
time, I (hail be ready to anfwer; but to return: 

Be fides the accommodation of the traveller, and 
the ufe of roads from town to town, to mills, &c. 
other objects mould be in view. The principal are 
limeftone quarries, and the means of being able to 
get into extenfive bogs, to carry off bog-timber, which 
at prefent (and it mufl be the cafe for many years) is 
the chief refource of the whole country, for cabins, 
Joom-timber, and many other purpofes. 

No fpecies of improvement could tend more to 
ferve the community at large than the above; many 
thoufands of acres might be limed, which for want 
of roads to the quarries are given up. The more land 
is brought into culture, the more difficult it is to get at 
limeftone quarries, becaufe the carriage of limeftone 
generally takes place in the fummer feafon. It is uni- 
verfally allowed, that limeftone could be procured 
twenty years ago, upon much eafier terms than at 
prefent, as at that time very little grain or potatoes 
were in the mountainous parts, to prevent the carriage 
of limeftone; hence the great neceifity of making 
roads, and the fooner the better. 

All perfons, whofe property lies convenient to a 
good limeftone quarry, mould exert themfelves, in 
having roads conducted, as well as thofe, oa whofe 

lands 



120 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

lands the quarry or quarries are. It mould be a ge-> 
neral caufe ; they mould go further, by cheerfully and 
unanimoufly contributing to put quarries in good 
working order; firft, by giving a power 'of keeping 
them dry, when necefTary; fecondly, by finking fo as 
to be able to work upon a fair face to advantage, and, 
of courfe, by being able to get at the beft part of the 
ftone, which is generally the loweft in all quarries; 
and thirdly, by employing intelligent perfons, to fee 
that all be fairly carried into execution. Such a per- 
fon might have the general charge of roads for a cer- 
tain diftricT:, and for dividing and regulating bogs 
amang tenantry. I fpeak from confiderable experience 
of the utility of fuch a perfon, and efpecially where 
there is a large landed property, and a numerous 
tenantry. 

Without an enumeration offomeof the principal 
quarries, I could not, with any degree of accuracy, 
point out the feveral roads, that mould be introduced, 
merely an account of the carriage of limeftone. 

The county is rich in limeftone quarries, generally 
of an excellent quality for land. Here I mail men- 
tion fome, to which roads would be found of the 
greateft advantage. 

In the barony of Strabane, between Gortin and 
Dunnamanagh, is a famous quarry called the Butter- 
loop, fituated between a clufter of the Munterloney 
mountains, and fome of the firft magnitude in the 

county. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 121^ 

county. The greater part of the limeftone is carried 
on horfeback in fmall creels, or cretes, containing 
about two hundred weight. Roads to this quarry 
might be made at very little expence, as the materials 
are always to be found upon the fpot; and, though the 
general character of the country for many miles is 
mountain, yet every mountain has its valley, through 
moft of which roads might be conducted with the 
greateft eafe. It would be for the intereft of the coun- 
ty of Londonderry, to contribute to a road leading to 
this quarry, as that county is rather fcarce in limeftone, 

in the part of it, which lies neareft to this quarry. 

Wilmount, within two miles of Dunnamanagh, 

abounds with limeftone. Roads from this place into 

the interior parts of the mountains of Munterloney 

would be found of great ufe. 

Near Newtown- ftewart are quarries of great extent, 

to which roads in fome directions are very much 

wanted. 

Drumquin in the barony of Omagh is very exten- 

five in limeftone, and the county for ieveral miles 

around it is deftitute of that article. Roads throughout 

this whole country would be found of the greateft ad^ 

vantage. 

There are many other valuable limeftone quarries 

throughout the county, fuch as Ballygawley, Cookf- 

town, &c. 

In my different excurfions through the county, I 

have remarked (and indeed it is invariably the cafe), 

that 



122 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

that, where limeftone is moft plenty, there the roads are 
few, and, in general in bad order. Claufes in leafes, 
obliging tenants to contribute towards making roads to 
limeftone quarries, under certain rules and reftricYions, 
might probably be of ufe* but, if not done in a general 
way, I doubt it would be found difficult to bring par- 
ticular individuals to comply. I only give it as a hint. 
As to roads in general, much expence and ufeful 
labour might be faved to the public, by farming them; 
that is, by affignmg a certain diftance to one or more 
perfons to keep in repair, after being firft fecurely 
made. This mode is followed through many parts of 
England, and, I find, is now praclifed in parts of the 
barony of Dungannon with good effect. 

Throughout the kingdom, roads and bridges always 
interfere with the two bufy feafons of the year, name- 
ly, fpring and autumn, as thefe are the feafons the 
judges are on circuit. The labourers, who mould be 
employed in tilling the land, and faving the fruits of the 
earth, are too often taken up in finishing off public 
works, before the judges enter the county. 

From this circumftance is is plain, that much incon- 
veniency and unneceffary expenfe arife; and too fre- 
quently the food of man and beaft is loft, or much da- 
maged, by not being able to attend to it in due feafon. 
If the roads were parcelled out into certain diftricls 
at an annual fum, fuppofe fix pence a perch, more or 
lefs, as the cafe might require -, the farmers r who are 

likely 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 123 

likely to be the undertakers, would find it their intereft to 
take care, that their public works fhould not interfere 
with their private bufinefs, at lead, fo as not to check 
the fpring and autumn works. In this cafe they would 
prepare materials occafionally, and have them in rea- 
dinefs to lay on at every favourable opportunity.* By 
fuch judicious management much advantage would 
accrue to the public, and we would feldom find bad 
fpots in roads, which in the prefent cafe too frequent- 
ly occur. Road-overfeers, (I mean the under ones) 
according to the preient mode, never find it their own 
private intereft to attack a breach in a road, or fet 
right a pipe or a gullet, which may have got out of or- 
der, or let off water from ditches or water-tables, or to 
do any other trifling matter that may occur, and which 
if early attacked, the coll: is nothing in comparifon to 
the letting fuch jobs lie over from aflize to affize. 

The farming of roads &c. would remedy all thofe in- 
conveniencies, becaufe, the moment the undertaker found 
any thing amifs, it would be his intereft to fet it right 

immediately, 

* Soldiers {rationed in different quarters might be ap- 
plied to great advantage, to make and repair roads in time of 
peace ; the good effects of which have been long ago expe- 
rienced in the highlands of Scotland. The farmer by this 
means might be eafed of the weight of county cefs ; the fol- 
diers would have more pay than ufual, and, what would be 
found better, his time would be better employed than in 
the dram (hop; the military road, i» the county of Wicklow, 
may ferve as * rule to go by. 



124 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

immediately, as the laying out of money in due feafoa 
is always found the cheapeft way of going to work. 

It would alfo be found good policy to allow the 
farmer or undertaker that part of the road, which may 
lie next to his own land ; by which means, he would 
be the more induftrious to clear his ground of ftones, 
which to him. would be a defirable advantage, and of 
general benefit to the public, fince the more land is 
cleared, the greater, of courfe will, be the extent of 
culture. 

There is no reafon, why a new road mould not be 
contracted for in like manner. In all cafes, infpectors 
are abfolutely necefFary. An acYive perfon employed ia 
this manner, of approved judgment and fidelity, would 
do away at once petty road-overfeers, and would not 
be attended with perhaps one fifth of the expence; 
as the former might anfwer for a whole barony, 
at fuppofe twenty pounds a year, which would make 
only a fmall figure in paying the number of overfeers 
ufually employed in the fame diftrift. 

Contracts of this nature mould not be for a lefe 
term than feven years, to keep roads in repair; if only 
for one or two years, contractors will have no perma- 
nent interefl in the work, and of courfe they will not 
take fuch pains to do it well, as if the terms had been 
longer. Indeed, the longer the term of contract is, the 
better*, it acts upon the contract or in the fame man- 
ner as a long leafe does on a farmer, which requires 
no demonftration* 

How 



OF THE COUNTY Of TYkOtfE. 125 

How far the country might be enriched by intro- 
ducing more roads is evident, not only from the ufe- 
ful purpofe of cheapening the carriage of fimeftone, 
but alfo the great advantage of being able to procure 
bog timber at a much cheaper rate than the prefent. 

Extenfive bogs we find richer in timber than fmall 
fcattered patches, and the great bogs invariably afford 
more bog-fir than bog-oak, the former being of three 
times the value of the latter- It is alfo found, that tim- 
ber is in larger quantities in the middle of large bogs, 
than at the edges; hence the neceffity of making roads 
quite through them. 

I have been often an eye-witnefs to fcenes of ftrug- 
gling and great fatigue in getting out logs of timber to 
the hard land, frequently at the diftance of a mile from 
where the bog was found. Roads would certainly 
cheapen this bufinefs, not to mention the many other 
advantages, that would naturally follow the introduc- 
tion of them. It is in vain to fet about reclaiming ex- 
tenfive bogs, without firft forming roads, and making 
large drains and water-tables. A bog may be drain- 
ed in fome meafure, but how are hard materials for 
covering them to be brought in, without roads ? 

Under this head, I beg it may be underftood, that I 
principally allude to flat extended tracts of red fpongy 
bog, moft commonly in a floating ftate, which, of all 
fpecies of bogs, are the moft difficult to improve; but 
tnore of this under its proper head. 

Before 



i*6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Before I difmifs this fubjecl:, I mall beg leave to fug- 
geft to the gentlemen of the county of Tyrone a plan, 
which, I apprehend, might not be attended with much 
expenfe. They are now in pofTeffion of the map of the 
county, made out by MefTrs. William and Conyng- 
ham M'Crea, in the years 1774, 1 775, and 1776. 

Since that time, a great number of roads have been 
made throughout the county, all of which are ufeful, 
and many of them materially fo. In order to render this 
map more complete, I apprehend, that all the roads, 
which have been introduced iince it was finished, 
might be furveyed, and laid down upon it. When this 
part of the work (hall be completed, the gentlemen may 
go further 5 a copper-plate might be made out, and a 
great many impreflions frruck off. The plate mould 
be the property of the fubfcribing gentlemen, and any 
new lines, that may be introduced hereafter, might be 
delineated on the plate, and thus have new impreffions 
made out occafionally. 

I am informed, that artifts will agree to make out 
the engraving, and frrike off the maps, by allowing 
them a certain number for their own emolument. The 
certainty of this may be eafily known, by applying to 
any of the eminent print-fellers. 

Bridges. 

A great miftake in bridge-building is, that the piers 
and abutments are not well attended to, in having 

them 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 127 

them funk fufficiently deep. More bridges, pipes, and 
gullets have given way through this caufe, than through 
all other caufes put together. In clayey and fandy fixa- 
tions, the courfe of the river or brook is perpetually 
changing ; therefore too much precaution cannot be 
taken to guard againft accidents, that frequently arife 
from fbch caufes. Where the current is rapid, there 
the more care fhould be taken in finking deep j but fuch 
fites for bridges fhould be avoided as much as jjoflible. 

Every day's experience mews us, that bridges are 
much more fecure in dead or fmooth running water, 
than when conftructed on fords, or near them, and 
efpecially upon the upper fide. 

Bridges are, in general,. built too narrow. The fink- 
ing of foundations, centering,-and mafon-work, between 
a bridge of twelve feet wide, and one of eighteen feet, 
bear not the fame proportion, of two to three, in point 
of expencej that is, if a bridge, twelve feet wide, 
fhould colt 200/., it does not follow, that one, 
eighteen feet wide, fhould coft 300/.; this every per* 
fon, the leaft converfant in bridge-building, muft 
know. 

In this county, it is only throwing away public 
money, to introduce cut-ftone coping on the battle- 
ment, as the country people carry it away, and few of 
the road-overfeers give themfelves any further trouble 
about it. Stones, placed edgewife, of about a foot 
high, and reaching quite acrofs the wall, are prefer- 

^ able 



12$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

able to cut ftone, as there is no temptation for ftealing 
the former, and this part of the work comes as cheap 
as any other part of the battlement ; whereas cut ftone 
cofls from 8d. to is. a foot, running meafurement, ac- 
cording to the thicknefs of the wall. 

The fide-walls of fmall bridges, commonly called 
pipes, or gullets, are generally built of lime and flone : 
where fuch are only flagged over, this precaution is al- 
together unneceiTary. By finking well, where the cafe 
may require, and ufing heavy materials at bottom, a 
dry wall is fully as fecure as a wet one, or that built 
of lime and ftone, which, from much experience, I 
know to be the cafe. 

There is more foul play and tricks ufed in bridge- 
building, than in making of roads. Mafons find it 
their intereft to make bad work, in order that the job 
may the fooner come round again, and common road- 
overfeers are feldom fharp enough to prevent this 
fraud ; hence the great ufe of intelligent honeft in- 
fpe&ors. 

I have, more than once, experienced inftances of the 
foundations of bridges being undermined, previous to 
floods, in order that the whole fabric might tumble 
down ; nor have I ever known road-overfeers to be 
any way active in detecting fuch villainy. Indeed, fo 
long as overfeers have a double intereft in public 
Works, we cannot expect much fair play, for many of 
the overfeers themfelves are alfo the executers, and, 

where 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 129 

where that is not the cafe, their friends are. I am very- 
far, however, from fuppofing, that all the under over- 
feers of the county are of the fame caft ; many of them I 
know to be men of ability, and poflefled of liberal fen- 
timents. It is not the men, who have the charge of 
public works, that are fo much to blame, but the fyf- 
tem adopted, and the partiality, that I am forry to find 
fo prevalent through the whole county *, and the only 
fure way of preventing this evil is, in my opinion, the 
appointing of infpectors, and farming the roads. 

I have introduced, in the neighbourhood I live in, a 
fpecies of bridge, fome years ago, which I find to an- 
fwer extremely well for a fmall mountainy brook. 
When the water is low, the whole of it pafles under ; 
and, in times of floods, part goes under, and part over 
the bridge. The pafTenger, notwithftanding, is ieldom 
flopped, as mountainy floods foon fubfide ; they fel- 
dom laft longer than an hour or two ; and, in roads 
not very public, it feldom happens that any perfon may 
go that way during the flood ; and, in cafe a perfon 
fhould pafs during that time, if on horfeback, he may 
ford it ; if on foot, there are ftepping-ftones con- 
venient. 

This kind of bridge may be built for one-third le'fs 

than in the ufual way, where the fituation may be 

found anfwerable *, and, if well executed, is never fub- 

ject to be out of repair : it is only calculated, however, 

for opens, which are intended to be flagged, inftead of 

fmall arches. 

k The 



'3° 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



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OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 131 

In the fe&ion, acrofs the pipe or gullet, the fhape of 
the road will appear thus, and give fome idea of the 
quantity of water, that may be difcharged over it. 



"Road, a 




The pipe is capable of difcharging fix cubical feet of 
water, and the fegment, a, b, is equal to nearly ten 
cubical feet. But there is no neceffity of being con- 
fined to one pipe *, more may be introduced, if the cafe 
fhould require it, and the excavation made in propor- 
tion. Inftead of flags, logs of oak may be ufed, which 
will laft for ages. 



Sect. 2. State of Navigations and Navigable Rivers. 



The navigation from Strabane, for upwards of three 
miles, where it falls in with the river Foyle, is cer- 
tainly of infinite fervice to the county, on account of 
cheapening the carriage of goods of various forts, from 

K 2 Derry 



13* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Derry to Strabane, the whole of the way by water. I 
underftand, that it is in contemplation to lengthen the 
canal a considerable way further down the river, in 
order to avoid fome fhoals and fand-banks, which, in 
dry feafons, much impede the navigation. 

There come up from Derry goods of various forts, 
fuch as timber, coals, iron, flax-feed, liquors, groce- 
ries, &c. There go down from Strabane, linen, 
corn, hides, tallow, potatoes, turf, &c. 

The navigation, from Coal-ifland, near Dungannon, 

to Lough Neagh, in length about three miles and a 

half, is at prefent but indifferently attended to; in many 

parts it is almoft choaked up with weeds. The chief 

ufe of this canal is for conveying coals from the col- 

i 
liery. Some timber and other articles are brought up 

to Coal-ifland, which are difperfed through the coun- 
try on cars and horfes. 

The only navigable river in the count)'', except the 
river Foyle, is the Black-water, which runs from 
Lough-Neagh to Black-water town, diftance about ten 
miles by water. In this courfe there are two or three 
fhoals, which require to be removed. The boats are 
from twenty to eighty tons burden, and bring to 
Black-water town feveral kinds of goods from Newry 
(from which town there is "alfo a canal to Lough- 
Neagh), fuch as timber, iron, coal, culm, flates, aflies, 
fait, &c, and bring back barley, oats, and fometimes 
potatoes, and alfo linen cloth, as there are two 

or 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 133 

or three extenfive bleach-greens in the neighbourhood 
of Black-water town. Armagh is only four miles from 
this village, with almoft a dead level the whole way •, 
a canal, of courfe, would be found quite practicable. 

A canal, made from Verner's ferry, or from the 
Moy to Dungannon, both about the fame diftance, not 
exceeding five miles by land, would render the county 
of Tyrone completely well circumftanced, perhaps as 
much fo as any county in the kingdom. A few years 
have ihewn, of what infinite advantage the Strabane 
canal has been, and is likely to prove to the community. 
A canal, from either of the above places to Dungan- 
non, could not fail in producing the like effect, fince 
the country, for many miles about each of thofe prin- 
cipal towns, is nearly alike circumftanced, with this 
difference, that Dungannon is quite furrounded by 
bleach-greens, which is one principal reafon for intro- 
ducing a canal. Situated as thofe towns are, at both 
extremities of the county, renders them very advan- 
tageoufly fituated for trade; either of them being within 
twenty miles diftance of any part of the county, and 
confiderably nearer to all thofe parts moft eminent for 
the linen trade. Linens might be at once fent by water 
to Dublin, to England, or to any other diftant part, in- 
ftead of fending them on cars to Dublin, which at pre- 
fent is the common mode. Dungannon is at prefent, 
and has been for many years back, a flourifhing 

town ; 



i34 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

town ; how far a canal would add to its profperity, 
requires no demonftration. 

I have not fufficiently examined the country about 
Dungannon, fo as to be able to form any idea of the 
beft line for a canal, or how far water might be fe- 
cured in quantity fufficient to feed it ; but the latter, I 
conceive, there could be no doubt about, from the 
great number of extenfive bleach-greens all through 
the neighbourhood, the wafte water of which mufl be 
very confiderable. 



Sect. 3. State sf Fi/Jjeries. 

I know of no regular fifhery in the county, except 
that near Strabane, which is confined to falmon. This 
is immediately under the infpecYion of the perfons, who 
rent the royalties of the rivers, which ultimately fall 
into the river Foyle. 

Though there are fevere fines and penalties againfl 
poaching, or killing of fifth, unlawful^, yet vaft depre- 
dations are always committed by idle fellows, who 
make this bufinefs a great part of their occupation. 
The moft deflrucYive way of defiroying fifh is, by 
night, with lighted faggots or ftraw, at the time the 
falmon are about to fpawn, or emit their young. 

Thofe, who pay for privilege of fifhing, would aft 
well for themfelves and the community, if, inflead of 

paying 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 135 

paying yearly falaries to water-keepers, as they are 
called, they would allow them the full amount of the 
fines fettled by law. I have tried both ways, and 
found the latter to fucceed completely. 



Sect. 4. State of Manufactures, whether encreafmg. 

There is no manner of doubt, that the linen manu- 
facture is daily encreafing, notwithftanding the great 
number of people leaving the country for America 
every year, and alfo the number to fupply the militia. 

There cannot be a greater proof of the encreafe of 
the linen trade, than the great rife of flax land. About 
ten years ago, half a rood, or twenty fquare perches 
(generally Cunningham meafure, lefs, by nearly one- 
feventh, than plantation meafure), let at 8s. : now (in 
1802) the fame quantity of land frequently brings 
double that fum. Another circumftance clearly points 
out the encreafe of the linen trade : common labour- 
ers, who were not much in the habit of weaving fome 
years ago, generally work out two or three yards of 
linen at night in the winter time, after the common 
day's labour is over. I mention this, to (hew the in- 
duftry of the people 5 and many of this defcription are 
obliged to work at common- labour for their employers 
in the day time, at lead for a great part of the feafon. 

From 



136 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

From a long refidence, and an intimate knowledge 
of this country, I can aflert, that at leaft one-third 
more land is now occupied by flax, than what had 
been ten years ago, which is a convincing proof of the 
encreafe of the linen manufacture ; the great rife on 
linens, of late years, is another. Every day the in- 
duftry of the people is gaining ground on bog and 
mountain, particularly the latter ; and it is alfo noto- 
rious, that, ten years ago, as much land was taken up 
with crops of potatoes, oats, and barley, as at this 
day ; this alfo mews, how much the culture of flax 
has been extended of late years. 

At Cook's-town, a muflin manufacture is eftab- 
lifhed, and is likely to fucceed. At Strabane, by Mr. 
Rofs, corduroys, and other articles in the cotton way, 
are manufactured to no fmall extent. In the barony 
of Ciogher, much druggets are made for home con- 
fumption, but there is no regular eftablifhment. Near 
Coal-ifland, in the barony of Dungannon, and at Fin- 
tona, in the barony of Ciogher, are coarfe manufac- 
tories of earthen-ware, tiles, fire-bricks, &c. In every 
town, and in many villages, foap and candles are ma- 
nufactured, and even in fome country places. 



Of 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 137 



Of encouragement to them, and the peculiar aptnefs of 
the fituation for their exten/ton. 

Some years back, the Linen Board gave premiums 
for the encouragement of flax-feed of Irifh growth ; 
the practice of fowing Irifh feed, however, has been 
difcontinued, for reafons known to the growers, who 
mufr. be certainly well acquainted with the difference 
between foreign feed, and that of Irifh growth •, nor 
is it likely, that they would prefer paying fuch high 
prices for foreign feed, if they found the Irifh growth 
to anfwer the main end, which is that of having the 
good quality of the flax in view. 

I do not know of any fcheme, that could tend to 
encourage the linen trade, more than that of faving 
of fuel in bleaching. The quantity of turf, that is an- 
nually ufed in the county, is moll aftonifhing. 

I am furprifed, that fome enterprizing bleacher, be- 
fore this time, has not taken a hint from Count Rum- 
ford's fyftem, which could not fail in anfwering the 
defired end.* 

In fome bleach-greens, upwards of 10,000 kifhes of 
turf are annually confumed, or an area, at leaff. equal 
to 1 1 ,000 cubical yards, of made up fuel, fit for con- 

fumption. 

* At the Linen-hall, in Dublin, an apparatus is fet up for 
the faving of fuel. 



138 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

fumption. Sixty kifties of turf is a reafonable allow- 
ance for a cottier, fo that one bleach-green confumes 
as much fuel as 166 cots. This is a ferious confide- 
ration, and mould be an object worthy of the attention 
of all thofe concerned. I make no doubt, but fur- 
naces, properly conftru&ed, might fave four-fifths of 
the fuel confumed at prefent. 

The following ejlablifhed Bleach-greens will ferve to Jhew 
the prefent Jl ate of the Linen Manufacture in the County. 

Names of Bleachers. Places of abode, 

William Shaw, - Caflle Caulfield, near Dungannon. 

James Guaherty, Dungannon. 

Duffin and Co. - Ditto. 

Thomas Rodman, Ditto. 

William Grier, - Ditto. 

Thomas Grier, - Ditto. 

Robert Grier, - Redford, near Dungannon. 

John Grier, - - Dungannon. 

John Wilcock, - Ditto. 

Ditto (two), - - Near Cook's-town. 

■ Cook, - Ditto. 

James Grier, - Ditto. 

Thomas Grier, Jun. Ditto. 

J. Patterfon, - Ditto. 

James Cook, - Ditto. 

John Kenny, - Ditto. 

Names 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 139 

Names of Bleachers. Places of abode. 

William Anderfon, near Cook's-town. 

A. Stewart, - - Coal-ifland. 

Brown & Sloane, Ditto. 

Thos. Grier & Co. Ditto. 

William Pike, - Ditto. 

Purcel, - Brookfield, near Dungannon. 

Jackfon & Eyre, Blackwater-town. Thefe have two 
more bleach-greens adjoining, in 
the county of Armagh. 

John Chambers, Omagh. 

Smiley, - Near Strabane. 

Quin, - - At Duglafs-bridge, below New- 

town-ftewart. 

Sproule, - Spa-mount. 

With fome others, now eftabliuYmg, or in contempla- 
tion of being fhortly fet on foot. 

My information, with refpect to the bleach-greens 
about Dungannon and Cook's-town, was from Mr. 
Wilcock of Dungannon, an eminent bleacher. 

Some bleach on their own account; that is, they 
buy the linen cloth. Others bleach for the country, 
at fo much a yard ; but the greater number bleach for 
themfelves, and for others. 

There are (till many eligible fituations in the county 

for bleach-greens, many of which, no doubt, will 

fhortly be occupied, from the rapid progrefs of the 

trade. 

The 



Ho STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The following fituations, among many others, are 
commodioufly fituated for water, afpecl, and fuel. 

Three or four, between Lord Mountjoy's demefne, 
at Rafti, and Newtown-ftewart, on the river Struel. 

One at Drumquin, by removing a corn-mill, and 
placing it a quarter of a mile below the village, where 
the fall and fituation are much preferable to the 
prefent. 

One or two on the Poa, or Fairy-water, between 
Poa-bridge and Dodean-bridge. 

One above Mr. Chambers's green, near Omagh. 

Several might be introduced, along the river be- 
tween Omagh and Fintona, and from Ballinahatty to 
near Dromore. The fituations are very good along 
thofe rivers, but in fome parts turf is rather fcarce. 

I have already mentioned drugget ; here I beg leave 
to recur to this article, the encouragement of which 
would be found of the greatefl advantage to the lower 
clafs, both as to wearing apparel, and keeping them 
fully employed, at a feafon when flax may fometimes 
be out of the reach of the poor. 

From the beginning of June, till towards the firfl of 
September, is the moft dormant part of the year for 
Spinning of flax. The poor people's flock, or what 
they generally grow themfelves, is commonly fpun by 
the firlt of June ; and the remainder of the feafon, till 
the new flax comes in, is commonly fupplied by flax 
purchafed at the markets, or elfewhere. 

During 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 141 

The above period, therefore, is that, in which the 
poor might be, in fome meafure, employed in {pin- 
ning of wool, as at that feafon it is generally procured 
upon cheaper terms than flax. Befides, fummer wea- 
ther anfwers beft for fpinning wool. A fpinner can 
manage flax by the light of the fire only ; wool re- 
quires more regular light : hence the latter is the bell 
fubject for the long day. 

But there is another confideration of great confe- 
quence, trifling at firfl view as it may appear. The 
root of the common fern is at this feafon replete with 
an oily glutinous fubftance, which is well known to 
make an excellent fubftitute for oil or butter, without 
which wool cannot be manufactured, unlefs the fern- 
juice be made ufe of. A pound of wool requires a 
quarter of a pound of butter, or the fame proportion 
of oil, to prepare it for fpinning, which may be faved 
by attending to the exudation of the fern, when cut 
up in fmall pieces. Perhaps it might be an object 
worthy of chemical enquiry, to find how long this 
juice might be preferved, and how to prepare it for 
that purpofe. So far as I could learn from the com- 
mon people, the root is cut into (hort pieces, bruifed 
in a mortar, and then put into a cloth, and prefled out. 
I have feen beautiful pieces of drugget, made up in. 
this country by houfe-keepers. When thickened in 
the tuck-mill, it is warmer, and lafts longer than other- 
wife : in this cafe, two parts are generally compofed of 

wool, 



%4* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

wool, and one of flax; in the ufual way, the wool and 
flax are equal. 

I hope our northern farming focieties, when more 
generally eftablifhed, will attend to this hint. 



Sect. 5. Population. 

Doctor Beaufort's Memoir, of his map of Ireland, 
makes the number of houfes to be 28,704. From a 
great number of views, that I have taken in differ- 
ent parifhes, I find the average of perfons to each 
houfe rather exceeds fix, which number, by allowing 
fomething for emigration, I mall abide by, fo that the 
whole of the inhabitants may be fet down at 172,224; 
a great population indeed, which, I believe, is very 
near the truth. 



CHAP. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 143 



CHAP. VL 



RURAL ECONOMY. 



Sect. i. Prices of Wages, Labour, and Provifions. 

SEVERAL caufes affett the rates of wages and 
provifions. Since the introduction of militia and yeo- 
men, the value of labour has been confiderably raifed. 
Alfo, when the linen trade is good, the price of labour 
is fure to rife, as mofl of the labouring clafs are alfo 
weavers. In fpring and autumn, labour is always 
higher than at other feafons. Labour is always higher 
about towns than in country places; yet mofl labourers 
prefer the latter, as the jobs are generally long and 
fteady, and provifions are to be had upon more reafon- 
able terms. 

It may appear fomewhat ftrange, that, when pro- 
vifions are higheft, common labour is always found 
loweft, and efpecially if the linen trade be on the de- 
cline. Singular as this may appear, it is a fact that is 
fully known, and the principal caufe is obvious : the 

farmer, 



H4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

farmer, in order to fave provifions, endeavours to get 
through all, or part of the labouring work, by his 
own family, which was almofl univerfally the cafe 
in the years 1800, and 1801. 

Tafk-work, alfo, makes a material change in the 
price of day labour, as a good labourer can earn 
more money by the former than by the latter-, of 
courfe, he will prefer the mode, by which he can 
make moft. 

Farmers generally feed their labourers, and, on that 
account, the wages are low, commonly fix pence half- 
penny a day, except in the time of harveft, when they 
generally get a milling a day. But by far the greater 
number of the farmers get their labour done upon a dif- 
ferent footing, as the cottiers are obliged to work for 
them to a certain extent, to pay for their cot-takes ; and 
the farmers are always fure, that the number of days 
fpecified muft be ferved in the bufy feafons. Sometimes 
contracts between farmers and labourers are fo made, 
as to work a certain number of days in each week 
throughout the year, but this mode is not common. 

Either for common labour or tafk-work, no regular 
fleady rules are eftablifhed throughout the county, ex- 
cept in lord Mountjoy's improvements, which fhall be 
noted in their proper order, when I come to treat of 
that place. 

The middle prices of provifions for the laft ten years 
ending December 1799, may be ftated as follows. 

Oatmeal 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 145 

/. s. d. 
Oatmeal, a peck of lolb. - - o 1 o 
Potatoes, by the flone - * 003 

Beef in winter, of a bad quality - o o 1 1 - 

• in fummer, generally good. - o o 4L 

Mutton the year round, from 3*/. to 004 

Pork, in winter, - - - o o 3^ 

Bacon, - - *■ 006 

Herrings, by the 1 20, from 3/. to 046 

Salmon, from 3^/ to - -004 

but in winter falmon is generally fold by hand, or at 

fo much a price •, but this kind of falmon is of little 

or no value. 

d. 
New- milk, in fummer, by the quart - 1 \. 

. in winter - 3 

Butter-milk, always bad, and dear. 
Frefh. butter, of i8oz. to the lb. from yd. to 10 
Cheefe generally bad, from 6d. to 8 

The loaf is never in proportion to the price of grain 
or flour. If the (hilling loaf in Dublin be 61b. the 
fix-penny loaf, in all the principal and petty towns of 
this county, feldom weighs 2lb; all rules and regula- 
tions, relative to this bufinefs, are generally over- 
looked by thofe, who mould put them in force. 



Sect. 



H6 . STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Sect. 2. Habitation, fuel, food, and clothing of 
the lower rank', their genera/ cofl. 

There are two denominations of lower ranks, uni- 
verfally to be met with. 

The firft comprehends fuch as have (mail farms, 
by far too limited to make out a fupport in any de- 
gree comfortable, perhaps for more than one half of 
the year, and too frequently not fo much. Many of 
this clafs are under-tenants, or what is commonly cal- 
led the third man, and fometimes the fourth and fifth, 
and too often more fteps removed from the lord of 
the foil. The further the diftance from the landlord, 
of courfe the greater muft be the poverty of the laft un- 
dertaker, as every occupier muft, or is fuppofed to 
have profit in the land. 

The fecond clafs are chiefly cottiers, who frequently 
derive under tenants, of different degrees, down from 
the lord of the foil. Many of this defcription are wea- 
vers, as well as labourers. This clafs of people are 
generally more comfortable than the former, as they 
run no rifque, and have but little to lofe. But the 
under tenants (commonly called fky-farmers) are by 
far the moft miferable part of the community, as has 
been obferved in another place. 

With refpeft to habitations, they are in general very 
bad, and efpecially fuch as are occupied by cottiers, 

who 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 147 

who commonly engage only by the year, and from 
year to year. Sometimes the cabin is built by the far- 
mer, commonly of flone and clay mortar, and fome- 
times of fods only. In the barony of Dungannon, 
fome fcattered cabins are built of mud, or yellow clay 
mixed with ftraw for litter, but thofe cabins are poor- 
ly made up; the roof is generally of bog fir, or bog 
oak, and thatched with oat or barley ftraw, and 
fometimes with ruflies and fprit, heath, broom, refufe 
of flax, &c. 

But the moft general way of building cabins is by 
both parties, that is, by the farmer and labourer, in 
which cafe the latter is allowed fome abatement in the 
firffc year's rent. Sometimes the whole is built by the cot- 
tier, and in this cafe a whole year is generally allowed 
for the trouble and expence of building, which is ge- 
nerally from three to five pounds. We feldom find 
the cabins of the poor fubftantial or comfortable, and, 
when built according to the lafl cafe, little can be ex- 
pected in point of either, fince the poor labourer has no 
permanent intereft, but only from year to year. Hence 
we find fo many cabins perpetually going to deflruc- 
tion through all parts of the country. 

I have remarked, that a cabin may be built, for from 
three to five pounds; the difficulty of procuring the 
roof, of bog timber, is the greateft the builder has to 
encounter with. The woods of Munterloney are almoft 
cut down, which, for many miles round, and for a great 
L 2 number 



148 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

number of years back, fitpplied the country with tim- 
ber for roofing, cars, and plough timber, with every 
other article the country flood in need of; now the 
principal dependence is on the bogs, the procuring tim- 
ber from which in their prefent flate is always attend- 
ed with many difficulties. The thinning of Lord 
Mountjoy's improvements is now beginning to afford 
the country fome relief, which, of courfe, will en- 
creafe every year; alder, birch, fcotch and fpruce firs, 
and mountain afh, are the only articles, which can be 
cut away at prefent, to eafe more valuable timber; 
thofe articles are from fourteen to twenty years 
growth, and are well calculated for cabin building, 
and many other domeftic purpofes. Regular prices 
are fixed for every article fuitable to the country, 
which fhall hereafter be explained, when I come to 
treat of the improvements at large; here I mail only 
take notice of fuch articles as are commonly made 
ivfe of in cabin building, this being the fubjecl under 
confideration. 

In the neighbourhood of Omagh, and within a 
reafonable diftance of the improvements of Ra(h, a 
cabin of the following dimenftons may be buiit for 
the under prices. 

UX X 4 fe €t 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 149 
24 X 14 feet in the clear, fide-wall 6 feet, 2 gables. 

Stone, and clay-mortar, - - - 1 io- o 
Three couples, or principals, - -0150 
Three dozen of ribs, - - - o 15 o 

Two wheel-car-loads of wattles, - - o 5 5 
One brace-tree or beam, to fupport a 

chimney, - - - - -080 
The above articles are procured from 
the improvements. 
Two door-cafes of bog-oak, 
Two doors of foreign fluff, 
Two windows, cafes, and glazing, with 

lead-light, - 
Thatch, I fet down at - 

Labour of roofing, thatching, &c. 

£.6 7 11 

A cabin, of the above defcription, is reckoned in 
this country a refpectable and comfortable manfion for 
a cottager. 

Fuel. — Turf or peat is univerfal, and to be procured 
almoft through all parts of the county upon reafonable 
terms. It frequently happens, however, that, in moft 
towns, this article is extravagantly high, though fuch 
towns may be furrounded with bogs. This arifes from 
a kind of monopoly, as many individuals have ufurped 
a right to large tracts of bog, which the poor are too 
often deprived of. This fhould be made a fubject of 

ferious 



- 


4 


4 


- 


8 


8 


Lin 
- 


6 


6 


- 1 








- 


J 5 






15^ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ferious enquiry by gentlemen of landed property, in 
whom the royalties of bogs are moft commonly inverted. 
Coal is ufed at Strabane and Dungannon occafionally. 
I believe, by all leafes, the tenants have no right to 
more privilege of bog, than a reafonable allowance for 
their own confumption ; notwithftanding that they 
may have large tracts annexed to their farms, all of 
which the lord of the foil may difpofe of at pleafure. 
If, inflead of fuffering tenants to engrofs large tracts 
of bog, as they ufually do, to the great detriment of 
the poor, landlords would fet about to quarter and 
parcel out fuch tracts, and particularly in the vicinities 
of towns and villages, they would foon experience the 
good effects of it. In many fituations, the acre- 
able rent would he found to exceed that of the befl 
arable land in the fame neighbourhood. Tfyere is a 
very ftrong inftance of this between Dungannon 
and Verner's ferry, where there is a very exten- 
five bog judicioufly laid for fale by the acre, and 
which, I am told, lets on an average at the rate of two 
guineas by the acre, and is by no means of a good 
quality. Here the proprietor makes a good yearly re- 
venue ; .the poor are accommodated for many miles 
round \ and, by the good manner of cutting out the 
bog upon a regular face, great future benefits may de- 
rive from meadow and pafture. 

General Coft. — The cofl of fuel depends, in a great 
meafure, on the diftance it is to be brought, as the 

price' 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 151 

price of horfe -labour is always high, feldom lefs than 
half a crown a day. 

Sixty kiffies is generally the allowance for a cottier, 
the kifh being equal to a cubical yard, but it is general- 
ly heaped as high as it can be conveniently carried, and 
efpecially when the turf is of a light fpongy quality. 
The ufual price for cutting, and making up ready for 

burning, is 14/. by the hundred.* 

£. ,. d. 
Forty kifhes, being confidered equal to a 

hundred, - - - - ^ 1 1 o 
Drawing, at ten turns a day, - -0150 



£.1 16 o 



The above is pretty near the average of the country 
parts of the county ; but, in fome towns and villages, 
the cafe is very different •, the kifh is feldom lefs than 
ij\ id., and often, in winter time, fo high as zs. 8f</. 
Regular modes, of parcelling and dividing bogs, can 
alone eafe the inhabitants of towns of this grievance, 
at lead to a certain degree, as numbers of the towns- 
people would find it their interefr. to cut their own 
turf, and, confequently, the poorer clafs belonging to 

towns, 

* A hundred of turf is equal to forty wheel-car-loads, or 
120 flide-car -loads. Twenty clamps, eight feet long, four 
feet wide, and fix feet high, tapering to the top like the roof 
of a houfe, are equal to a hundred, and in which flate they 
are generally fold; the meafuremcnt to be fettled in four day* 
after the clamps are made. 



152 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

towns, who might not be able to cut turf, might buy 
upon cheaper terms, when the bulk of the inhabitants 
were in the habit of cutting for themfelves. 

Food.*— Potatoes and oatmeal are the chief articles, 
which compofe the poor man's food the year round. 
In the fevere } r ears of 1800 and 1801, large quantities 
of barley-meal were ufed, without which half the peo- 
ple mud: have flarvcd. Before thofe periods, barley- 
bread was quite unknown. 

The poorer clafs cannot afford to ufe much butter, 
being obliged to fell the greater part of it, in order 
to purchafe neceffaries, which they want, fuch as 
foap, candles, tobacco, fait, &c. In fummer and au- 
tumn, milk is chiefly ufed ; the remainder of the fea- 
fon, herrings are moft common with the poor. 

Sometimes a pig at Chrifhnas may fall to the lot of 
a farrily, but this is not often the cafe, unlefs potatoes 
are plenty. Two or three labourers frequently join in 
purchafing a cow in November, which generally cofls 
61. , and in return get 2/. for the hide and tallow. 

The general prices of food are given in the pre- 
ceding feclion, to which I refer, 

CIcathing.— Although a good deal of woollen cloth 
is made up by the farmers for their own conlumption, 
yet a fmall portion of it falls to the lot of the lower 
clafs. Common frize, bought at the country mops, is 
the general cloathing for the common labourer, at leaft 
for the coat and great coat. This frize is chiefly 

brought 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE, 153 

brought from Connaught ; here it is coloured or dyed 
according to fancy, but blue is the fayourite colour of 
all clafles. Tickens, cheap corduroys, &c. are com- 
monly worn for waiftcoat and breeches. 

The women commonly wear druggets and coloured 
linen for coat and petticoat, and the cloak is generally 
of fome cheap fhop-cloth, chiefly of a grey colour, tho' 
-they affecT: fcarlet, when they can afford trie price. 
The youne; women are fond of yellow and green fluff 
petucoats. Shoes and blockings are only fecondary 
confiderations ; on Sundays and holidays, and going to 
fairs and markets, they are always worn by the wo* 
men, both young and old. 

General Coft. — Some years ago, cloathing was cou- 
iiderably cheaper than at prefent. 

£. ,. 4 

A middle-fized man will require 8 yards 
of frize, or any other narrow cloth, for 
a coat, waiftcoat, and breeches, - p 18 8 

Trimmings, 5 s. 9 \d. 5 taylor, 4/. 4*/. - o 10 \\ 

Two fhirts, ioj\; fhoes 5/. 6d 5 two pair 

of ftockings, 4/. $d. - - -102 

Hat, two years, 3/. 3*/. - - -017! 

Great coat, two years, 16 s. - -080 

£.2 i8~T 

It is feldom the cafe, that a labourer, or even a mid- 
dle-rate farmer, is thus comfortably cloathed at once ; 

the 



154 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

the above, however, may ferve as a ftatement, which is 
tolerably accurate, according to the prices in 1800 and 
1 80 1 ; but I fhould be ftill nearer the truth, were I to 
add another pair of coarfe fhoes or brogues, "which 
-would bring the expence to 3/. 4/. id. inftead of 
ll. 18/. *]d. 

Womens' cloathing is alfo confiderably higher at 
prefent, than was the cafe fome years ago. Drugget, 
•which formerly fold at 1 /. a yard, now fells at 1 /. 4*/., 
and, when ftriped, a penny or two-pence more in the 
yard; but, in this flatement, I fuppofe the drugget 
plain. 

£. ,. a. 

A middle-fized woman will require eight 



yards for coat and petticoat, 


- 


- 10 


8 


Making up, - 


- 


- 2 


2 


A grey cloak, - 


- 


- 11 


8 


Making up, - 


- 


- 1 


1 


Shoes and ftockings, - 


- 


- 5 


6 


Other wearables, 


- 


- 6 






£- 1 l 7 1 

If the coat be of cotton, and the petticoat of quilted 
Huff, the price will be higher ; and, if the cloak be 
fcarlet or crimfon of the cheapeft forts, it will flill add 
to the expence, perhaps up to %l, 5/. or 2/. iqjt. 

Farmers- 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 155 

Farmers' fervant-girls appear very fmart on Sundays 
and holidays ; and, at fairs and markets, linen or cot- 
ton gowns are common with this clafs, and petticoats 
and fhort cloaks of the former, which they contrive to 
fpin for themfelves, after complying with the tafk they 
are obliged to perform for their employers. 

The induftry, with which this clafs apply themfelves, 
is mod worthy of praife ; they are generally obliged 
to fpin a dozen of two-hank yarn in the day, befides 
fome drudgery in the houfe ; yet they make out time to 
fpin a little for themfelves weekly, which in the feafon 
amounts to fomething, fo as to afford them fuch wear- 
ables, as have been already mentioned, with other ne- 
cefTary articles. Inftead of doing a little for themfelves 
daily, and in order that the wheel might be always 
fully employed, the ufual mode is, to give up five days 
clofe application to the employer, fo as to fpin fix 
hanks in that time ; the fixth day is their own. 

From this account, an active girl may fpin for her- 
felf fifty-two hanks, or dozens of yarn, in the year, 
which may be rated equal to fifty-two yards ; nor is it 
uncommon to find numbers of this clafs, who are 
equal to this induftry, and fometimes more. 

It has been fhewn, under the article Extent of Cul- 
ture, that a family, confifting of fix, would confume, in 
the feafon, 

i7§ cwt. 



156 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

£. ,. i. 

l*l\ cwt. of oatmeal, here I mall fay, 10 10 o 
36 barrels of potatoes, - - -900 

Fuel I have Hated to be, - - -116 

Mens' cloathing, - -341 

Womens' ditto, - - - 1 17 1 
The reft of the family, fay, -300 



8 1 



£ 2 9 

The drawback for the cot-take, in point of 
provjfion, may be thus ftated, after de- 
ducting fome allowance for feed. 





£. * J. 


Half an acre of oats, 


^ 2 2 


One rood of potatoes, - 


r 4 10 O 



6 12 



o 



£.22 15 2 

It may be thought a matter of furprife in other 
countries, how a cottier, with fix in family, could be 
able to make out 22/. 15/. id., with many other inci- 
dental occurrences. 

In this county, and throughout all the North of Ire- 
land, fo far as the linen trade is in a profperous way, 
the difficulty is eafily anfwered ; the wheel and the 

loom 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 157 

loom anfwer all. If a farmer's fervant-girl be able to 
clear 52/.* a year, befides her wages and maintenance 
from the farmer, what mud a united family of fix per- 
fons do by their induftry in the fame time ? 

* 1 take for granted, that fifty-two yards of fine linen will 
be equal to 52*.* clear of all expenfe. 



CHAP, 



i5* STATISTICAL SURVEY 



CHAP, VIL 



GENERAL SUBJECTS, 



SECT. I. Number and Size of Villages and Towns, 

THE barony of Dungannon contains the following 
towns and villages. 

i. Dungannon, one of the moft profperous towns in 
the North of Ireland in the linen trade, nor is it inferior 
to any for its rapid progrefs in building. When the new 
town will be completed, Dungannon altogether will 
have no equal in the North. In the buildings there is 
one fault, which generally prevails, and that is, that 
the houfes are narrow, which, in buildings in general, 
is certainly bad economy. 

2. CookVtown, tolerably eminent in the linen trade. 
The muflin manufacture is likely to take place here. 

3. Aughnacloy; linen and yarn. 

4. StewartVtown 5 ditto. 

5. Callidon. 

<5. Pomeroy. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 159 

6*. Pomeroy. 

7. Moye ; extremely well fituated for trade, having 
the Blackwater river navigable, fo far as Blackwater 
town, from Lough Neagh. 

The above are the principal towns in the barony; 
the following are the villages. 

1. Orritor. 

2. Tullyhog. 

3. Dunnaghy. 

4. Brackogh. 

5. New-mills. 

6. Coal-ifland ; navigation might be improved. 

7. Donaghmore ; brewery and mill for preparing, 
barley. 

8. Caftle-Caulfield. 

9. Eglifh. 
io. Carnteel. 

1 1 . Benburb ; a famous limeftone quarry. 

The Barony of Ckgher contains, 

1. Clogher. 

2. Augher. 

3. Ballygawley. 

4. Five-mile-town. 

5. Fintona •, good linen market. 

The above are fmall towns, but of more confe- 
quence than country villages. 



n* 



x6o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The Barony of Omagh contains, 

1. Omagh, the aflize town. 

2. Dromore. 

3. Trillick. 

4. Ballinahatty. 

5. Six-mile-crofs. 

6. Killetor. 

7. Derg-bridge ; bleaching might be efrablifhed. 

8. Drumquin ; bleaching might likewife be efta- 
blilhed here, by removing a mill. 

The above are villages, except Omagh. 

The Barorty of Strabane contains, 

1 . Strabane ; a good market town for many articles, 
and efpecially cloth. 

2. Newtown-ftewart ; a good market for cloth and 
yarn. Several bleach-greens might be eftablifhed on 
the river Struel, between this town and Omagh. 

3. Dunnamanagh. 

4. Ballimagorry > fituation for a bleach-green. 

5. Ardftraw-bridge ; - ditto. 

6. Gortin. 

7. Claudy •, a fituation for a bleach-green. 
Except the two firft, the above are fmall villages. 

Strabane is at prefent improving ; its canal is 
the chief caufe. Newtown-ftewart is moft eli- 
gibly fituated for improvements of many forts. 

Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 161 



Sect. 2. State of Tithe, its general Amount on each 
Article — what Articles are exempt, and what charged 
by Modus. 

Upon this fubjeft I have but very little to fay, with 
refpect to any new light, that might be thrown upon it. 
Much has been faid by others, with regard to reform- 
ing tithes, &c, which, in my opinion, can anfwer no 
material end. 

With refpecl: to this county, I find, in general, a 
very good underftanding between the incumbents and 
the people. Some let their tithes during their incum- 
bency ; fome yearly, at fo much an acre, feldom ex- 
ceeding two fhillings for good arable and meadow. 
Others lay on fo much an acre againfl oats, barley, 
hay, flax, and potatoes : the three laft articles are, in 
general, let at moderate terms, frequently not acreable, 
only fo much by modus. The mofl general way is by 
yearly compofition ; nor could I learn, that the extra- 
vagant prices of provifions, in the years 1800 and 
n i8oi, made the lead alteration in the raifing of tithes 
throughout the county. When let by compofition, 
large and fmall tithes are of courfe included in the con- 
tract, though the latter are feldom of any material con- 
fequence to the incumbent, 

m The 



i6z STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The following is a lift of fmall dues, given by a 
neighbouring clergyman as a very old cuftom in 
his parifh, but never exacted. I fuppofe the fame 
hoids good in moft parifhes throughout the diocefe, 
and alfo not demanded; at leaft I never could learn, 
that they were. 

Modus. — Turf 6 d. ; garden is. id.', Eafter dues 4*/.; 
a new-milch cow pd.; ftripper cow 4±d.- 9 fheep or 
lamb id.-? foal 6d. Marriage 2s. 6d.-, chriftening 1/. 
6d.\ burial is. Each tradefman is. yearly. 

Oats and barley are the principal articles, on which 
an acreable charge is made ; the former from 4s. to 
6s. y and the latter fometimes as high as 8/. ; but this 
mode is not general. 



Sect. 3. life of Beer and Spirits — whether either, or 
which is encreafing. 

The extreme dearth of food, in part of the year 
1799, and the whole of the years 1800 and 1801, put 
a total flop to the diftilfing of fpirits, and, in a great 
meafure, to brewing. 

For many years back, fpirits have taken the lead of 
malt liquor in a considerable degree. I am not alto- 
gether clear, but the quantity of fpirits, diftilled in this 
county for the laft forty or fifty years, was more than 

double 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 163 

double the quantity of beer brewed. I am certain, 
when all the private liquor is confidered, the compa- 
nion will not be thought furprifing. 

At prefent it is a pleafant reflection to find, that the 
fcene is about to be altered, and that in a fuperior 
degree, in favour of malt liquor. The number of 
breweries lately eftablifhed, and about to be fitted up, 
is a convincing proof, that malt liquor is taking the 
lead, or at leafr bids fair for it. Another circumftance 
is the rapid demand brewers have, infomuch, that few 
of them will give any credit. 

The following are eftablifhed breweries. 

One at Dungannon, on a large fcale. 

Two at Donaghmore, near Dungannon. 

One at Stewart's-town. 

One at Aughnacloy, on a large fcale. 

One at Newtown-ftewart. 

Two at Strabane. 



Sect. 4. State of Education, Schools, and Charitable 
Inftitutiont. 

A school, under the patronage of Mr. Stewart, &c. 
I am informed, has been eftablifhed at Cook's-town 
fome time ago. 

At Rafh, under the protection of Lady Mountjoy, 
and Mifs Gardiner, a fchool for twenty-four girls has 

M 2 been 



1 64 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

been lately eftabliflied. Sewing, fpinning both linen 
and woollen, manufacturing ftraw hats, &c. are the 
chief occupations of the girls ; nor are their moral 
duties neglected, but, on the other hand, fhi&ly at- 
tended to. 

With refpecr. to education, attainable from day- 
fchools by the lower clafs, very little real benefit can 
be derived ; as, when children are able to perform any 
fort of work, fuch as herding of cattle, they are then 
taken from fchool. From the age of fix or feven, to 
that of ten or eleven years, is the ufual time for chil- 
dren to be kept at fchool ; at this early period they 
acquire but little, and that little is generally forgotten, 
before they come to the age of underftanding. 

Even the children of farmers and others, above the 
level of common labourers, fare but very little better 
than thofe of the lower clafs j as their fituation in life 
obliges them to early habits of kiduftry, without which 
rents cannot be paid. 

From night-fchools alone, real benefits, to the fore- 
going claffes, are moil likely to derive. What I mail 
here offer on this fubject, is founded upon consider- 
able experience. 

An extenfive night-fchool has been eflablifhed, un- 
der the fanttion of the late Lord Mountjoy, for the 
purpofe of inftrudYmg the labouring boys of the de- 
mefne, being principally planters. This has been an 
early inflitution of his Lordfhip's, fo far back as the 

year 






OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 165 

year 1783, and has continued to flourifti and profper 
to this day. 

It generally commences about the firft, of October, 
and continues to the firft of February, and fometimes 
later. Hours of attendance, from fix in the evening to 
ten or eleven o'clock at night. A guinea a month is the 
mafter's falary, for any number of boys not exceeding 
fixteen, which is the higheft number allowed. The 
boys are always divided into clafTes, and three or four 
guineas are allowed in the feafon, to be diftributed in 
fmall premiums, fo regulated, that every individual may, 
at one time or other during the feafon, come in for one 
or more. This mode not only ha6 for its object the 
flirring up of emulation, but enables them to purchafe 
paper and candles, as a reward for their diligence. 

The hope of obtaining premiums for the time to 
come, or for the next winter feafon, has an amazing 
good effect during the fummer months, as they are as 
induflrious as poffible, between working hours, to keep 
in mind, or rather encreafe, what they have acquired 
the preceding winter ; and, the better to enable them 
to do this, they are generally allowed, from ten to two 
o'clock, to inftruct each other, in fuch parts of the de- 
mefne as they may choofe to refort to : but when this 
indulgence is given, which only takes place in the 
longeft months, they go to their work at five in the 
morning, and quit at feven, or, perhaps, half after 
feven in the evening. 

The 



/ 



166 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The refult of this falutary inftitution has proved 
demonftratively its good effects. Within the laft fif- 
teen years, many ufeful perfons have been fent to va- 
rious parts, as planters, &c. 

But the great object is, the preventing of idlenefs, 
which is always beft accomplished, by filling up the 
/craps of time. 

Many fimilar inititutions might be adopted through- 
out this extenfive and populous county, though, per- 
haps, not with equal facility; yet they could not fail in 
being productive of a great deal of good. When we 
ihall have the happinels of feeing farming focieties 
eftablifhed, they, no doubt, will confider this object. 
Much might be done by comiibiuions at houfes of 
worfhip. Grand juries might ailo countenance fuch 
iaftitutions. 

I often regretted to find fuch a number of children, 
both male and female, occupied the greater part of the 
year in herding cattle ; but this wretched habit is 
not peculiar to this county. This muft be fubmitted 
to, till our fyftem of enclofing becomes more perfect. 

But fince, in our prefent expofed ftate, thofe little 
herds* are indifpenfibly necefTary, we mould endea- 
vour to fill up their vacant time as ufefully as poiTible. 

From 

* Herd?, or fuch as have the charge of cattle, moit com- 
monly turn out indifferent labourers. 



\ 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 167 

From nine or ten o'clock in the morning, till two or 
three in the afternoon, in the fummer feafon, the cattle 
are houfed, for the purpofe of encreafmg manure : 
during all this time, thofe, who have the charge of 
them, do nothing but idle away time. In every dif- 
trift, a country fchool-mafter is to be found, and a 
fmall pecuniary matter would anfwer to pay for a few 
hours each day for the fchooling of thofe children ; 
this might alfo be an object for farming focieties, &c. 



Sect. 5. Of abfentee and reft dent Proprietors. 

There are very few proprietors in the county, who 
may be confidered as total non-refidents, or, at leaft, 
fuch as live altogether out of the kingdom. For^ in- 
ftance, Lord Belmore has feveral properties in the 
county, yet he is fet down as a non-refident, becaufe 
he lives in a neighbouring county j the like may be 
faid of others. Some there are alfo, who have pro- 
perties in the county, yet refide on rented farms in 
other parts of it •, yet here I do not confider them as 
actual refidents, they not living on their eftates. There 
arc feveral clergymen, pofTeffed of confiderable property, 
exclufive of church livings, which are here omitted al- 
together, as the account of the number of parifhes is 
given under the article Ecclefiajlical Div'ifton, and which 
compofe a large portion of the county, when joined to 

biihop's lands. 

The 



/ 



1 68 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The following is a Lift of the principal Proprietors, 

Abercorn, Marquis of 
Archdall, •, Efq. 

Bateman, , Efq. R. 

Bailie, , Efq. R. 

Belmore, Lord 

Blackard, ', Efq. 

Buchanan, John, Efq. R. 
Brabazon, , Efq. 

Crawford, Henry, Efq. 

Col noun, , Efq. 

Crawford, John, Efq* 
Callidon, Lord, R. 

Caulfield, , Efq. R. 

Charlemont, Lord 

Earne, Meffrs. R. 
Eccles, Daniel, Efq. R. 

Fergufon, Sir Andrew 
Forfyth, , Efq. R. 

Gladftanis, George, Efq. 

Galbraith, ■ ■'■ < , Efq. R. 

Gorges, Hamilton, Efq. R. 

Gage, Mrs. 

Gorman, , Efq. 

Hamilton, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 169 

Hamilton, James, Efq. . 
' » — , Sir John 

, William, Efq. 

, Hon. A. C. R. 

Irwine, Gorges, Efq, 

, Henry, Efq. 

Johnfton, Charles, Efq. 

Knox, Hon. Thomas, R. 

LifFord, Lord 
Lendrum, James, Efq. R. 
Lighton, Sir Thomas 
Lowry, Robert, Efq. R. 

-, Mrs. R. 

Lindfay, Robert, Efq. R, 

M'Caufland, John, Efq. 

« f Oliver, Efq. 

M<Clintock, , Efq. 

Montray, John, Efq. R. 
Montgomery, Hugh, Efq. 
Maxwell, Warren, Efq. 
Mountjoy, Lord 
Moore, Nathaniel, Efq. 
"- ■ " ' i John, Efq. 
Malone, Mrs. 

Northland, 



1 70 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Northland, Lord, R. 

Perry, George, Efq. 
Pettygrew, Robert, Efq. R. 
Powerfcourt, Lord 

Richardfon, John, Efq. 

, ■ Sir William, R, 

Reynell, Richard, Efq. 

Strong, , Efq. 

Saville, , Efq. 

Stewart, John, Attorney Genera! 
Stewart, James, Efq. R. 

Tradennicfc, — — , Efq. 

Verner, James, Efq, 

White, Francis, Efq. 
Waterford, Marquis of 

Thofe, marked R. may be confidered fleady refi- 
dents, or, at leaft, they live the greater part of their 
time in the county. Befides the above, there are a 
great number of freehold properties in perpetuity, but 
comparatively fmall; the occupiers of which, with 
very few exceptions, live on their properties, and are, 
of courfe, a ufeful part of the community <> 



Sec 






OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 171 



Sect. <5. Of Circulation of Money or Paper. 

The great perfection, to which the linen manu- 
facture is brought to throughout the county, but more 
particularly in the barony of Dungannon, caufes a 
great circulation of ready fpecie. Except with principal 
bleachers, and linen merchants, paper currency is not 
common. In towns, fmall notes are pretty general. 
With refpect to weavers, and the lower manufacturers 
of linen, ready cafh is the only currency. 

Of jobbers in cattle there are many; with thofe, of 
courfe, nothing is to be met with but hard money, as 
paper, in our fairs and markets, is never taken as calh. 

On the whole, a fmart circulation of hard fpecie pre- 
vails, between dealers in cloth and yarn, jobbers, &c. 



Sect. 7. Of Farming or Agricultural Societies* 

Nothing, in the way of farming or agricultural fo- 
cieties, has yet appeared in the county ; it is, however, 
a pleafing reflection to think, this may not be long the 
cafe, as the minds of the people are of late mucH 
turned that way. 

Sect. 



J7? STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 8. Of Mills of every kind. 

I believe there are only two flour-mills in the coun- 
ty, one near Dungannon, and the other near Strabane ; 
but the wheat, manufactured in both, is principally the 
produce of other parts, as at prefent very little of this 
grain ingrown in the county. 

The befl mill in the county, for manufacturing oat- 
meal, is at Cook's-town, which, with very little ex- 
pence, might anfwer for a flour-mill. 

A capital mill for wheat and oats was built a few 
years ago by Lord Mount] oy at Rafh, and there is no 
doubt, that the neighbourhood will foon afford plenty 
of wheat to fupply it. 

I counted no lefs than 1 24 mills in the county in 
1800. Grift-mills are the common names that mills 
go by, but this is underflood only of fuch as prepare 
oatmeal and malt, and fometimes barley for bread, 
which was univerfally the cafe in 1800 and 1801. 

It is not eafy to point out, with any degree of accu- 
racy, the number of effective mills in the county, as fo 
many of them are perpetually out of order, fome de* 
molifhing," others repairing, &c. 

In order to afcertain, as nearly as poilible, how 
many mills, kept regularly to work, might be equal 

to 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 173 

to the fupply of the county, I fele&ed fix in different 
parts of the county. I found the futton,* annexed to 
the fix mills taken together, amounted to about 28,000 
acres, between arable, pafture, &c. The county con- 
tains 467,700 acres ; fo that about one hundred mills, 
kept fully employed, may be deemed fuiflcient for the 
county. 

There are mills of other defcriptions, fuch as beetling- 
mills, one of which muft be at every eminent bleach* 
green; tuck-mills, for thickening woollen cloth, and 
fometimes drugget, which are plentifully eftablifhed 
throughout the county ; flax-mills, for fcutching flax ; 
but thefe are not fo numerous as the quantity of flax, 
raifed in the county, feems to require, nor are they 
conftructed, in general, to the advantage they are ca- 
pable of, fince it is well known, that, by means of 
fluted cylinders, flax or lint might be broken at the 
fame time. This would fave a great deal of fevere la- 
bour, which, according to the prefent mode of break- 
ing flax, or preparing it for the fcutchers, is unavoid- 
able. 

To the above may be added a plating- mill, for mak- 
ing fpades and (hovels, at Fintona, and one about to 

be 

* Sutton is a certain diftricl claimed by mills, in virtue of 
leafes or agreements between the lord of the manor and the 

miller; fometimes a whole manor, at other times a half 
manor, &c. 



174 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

be fet up at Newtown-flewart ; but thefe have beea 
taken notice of in another place. 

As in all countries, many of the mills of this county 
are great nuifances ; if better conftru&ed, much fewer 
would anfwer. There is no end to the difputes be- 
tween parties, on account of the injury lands fuflain by 
mill-dams, &c. 

How far fleam-engines might remedy this inconve- 
niency, is a matter I mail leave others to judge of. I 
fhall only remark, that the firft cofl would be found 
the only material expence, as fuel is fo plenty, particu- 
larly in the baronies of Omagh and Strabane. By 
adopting fleam- engines, many acres of choice meadow- 
land might be faved to the public. 



SECT. 9. Of Plantations artd Planting, 

Considering the extenfive properties in this county, 
and the eligiblenefs of many parts of it for planting, yet 
we cannot boafl much of the progrefs of this neceflary 
improvement* 

At Killymoon, a great deal had been formerly 

planted, and, of late, additions have been made. It 

would be much in favour of the extenfive plantations 

of this place, had judicious thinning taken place many 

years ago. It is not yet too late ; much may flill be 

dong for prefent and future emolument. 

At 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 175 

At LifTen, the feat of Mr. Staples, near Cook's-town, 
the planting is very profperous : but there is only part 
of thefe improvements in this county j the remainder 
lies in the county of Derry. 

A confiderable fcope has been planted by Lord 
Northland, and his fon Mr. Knox, within the lafl 
twenty years, which is at this time in a thriving ftate. 

Lord Callidon has planted confiderably in the orna- 
mental ftyle, and, in general, with good tafte. 

Mr. Montgomery planted confiderably near Augh- 
nacloy. 

Sir William Richardfon planted, with good tafte, 
his demefne at Augher, and the plantations are in a 
HouriuYing ftate. 

Mr. Montray, at Favoroyal, near Augher, is in pof- 
feflion of large tratts of natural woods, which are ma- 
naged in an economical manner. 

At Clog her, the bifhop's demefne and deer-park af- 
ford fome old timber ; but this beautiful demefne has 
been much injured in this, its chief ornament, fome 
years ago. 

Mr. Eccles, near Fintona, has done a good deal in 
the way of planting, and fo has Mr. Lendrum. 

The Rev. Mr. Hill has great merit for his tafte in 
planting and ornamenting about his glebe-houfe, in the 
parifh of Longfield, near Drumquin. 

Mr. Lowry has planted a confiderable number of 

trees at Pomeroy ; but his fltuation requires much 

planting, and in very heavy maffes. 

Mr. 



i 7 6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Mr. Stewart, the Attorney General, has planted 
with tafle and judgment, in a mountainous fituation at 
Athenree, near Six-mile-crofs ; and, like a real planter, 
he is laying a good foundation, by eftablifhing his own 
nurferies. 

The Hon. A. C. Hamilton has planted confiderably, 
from time to time, at Beltrum-caftle, near Gortin. 

The Marquis of Abercorn has, and is planting 
largely, at Baron's-court, near Newtown -fte wart. I 
cannot learn, that he claimed any premiums from the 
Dublin Society, but I am certain, from the extent of 
his. young plantations, he was frequently entitled to do 
fo. On the whole, Baron's-court is ftrongly planted, 
and all the plantations are going on profperoufly. It 
is to be hoped, that the Marquis will perfevere in his 
original plan, namely, that of planting out the greater 
part of the north fide of BefTy-Bell mountain, which 
overlooks his demefne. Greater difficulties have been 
fairly conquered by Lord Mountjoy within thefe lafl 
fourteen years. 

I might have mentioned feveral other improvements 
upon fmall fcales. On the whole, the people are be- 
ginning to look forward, and fee what is their real 
intereft. 

"With very few exceptions, the foregoing have been 
undertaken within the laft fourteen or fifteen years ; 
and it is a pleafing reflection to find, how much the 

face 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 177 

face of the country has been in that fliort time im- 
proved, in confequence of thofe plantations. 

The following fketch may ferve to (hew the extent 
of Lord Mountjoy's planting at Rafh, near Omagh, 
fmce the year 1779. But firft I muft remarky that no 
regular account has been kept of the number of trees 
planted, or the quantity of land taken into plantation, 
prior to the year 1791, as in that year the claims for 
premiums on the Dublin Society commenced, 



Of 



i 7 8 



STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Of the EffeEts of the Encouragement heretofore given to 
Planting by the Society y particularized in the Lift annexed* 






Premium planting* 


Planting not 
claimed. 


YEARS. 


A. 


R. 


p. 


TREES. 


TREES. 


In 1791 and 1792, 


II 


3 


29 


35> 212 


6,882 


— 1792 and 1793, 


2 3 





3° 


76,087 


i3> 6 74 


— 1793 and 1794, 


12 


3 


20 


3 X »7° 8 


16,031 


— 1794 and 1795, 


29 


2 


3° 


65,603 


11,190 


— 1795 and 1796, 


33 








84,550 


1,660 


— 1796 and 1797, 


3 1 





2 5 


86,910 


6,067 


— 1797 and 1798, 


16 


1 


3° 


44,450 


l8 >535 


— 1798 and i799> 










3°>43° 


— 1799 and 1800, 


7 








20,040* 


7,488 


— 1800 and 1801, 


12 
178 


1 
2 


3 1 


39>4io 


24,805 


5 


483,970 


136,762 



A. R. P. 

178 2 35 

68 o o 

IOO o o 

141 o o 



Premium planting, 483,970 trees. 

Not claimed, - - 136,762 

Prior to 1 79 1, - - 200,000 

Old woods. . 



820,732 



487 2 35 
* No premium granted, being under ten acres. 



Befides 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 179 

Befides the above, there were given to the tenants 
of the eftate, fince the year 1795, upwards of 100^000 
tranfplanted trees ; and, from the commencement of 
the improvements at Ra(h to the foregoing year, I 
dare fay, there were double the number here men- 
tioned given out, of which, however, no regular ac- 
count has been kept. Without exaggeration, 300,000 
trees were made prefents of to gentlemen, fince the 
year 1784. 

The article, alluding to the account of premiums, is 
perfectly accurate, both as to the quantity of land, and 
the number of trees ; but the plantations, formed be- 
tween 1 79 1 and 1 80 1, both years included, for which, 
from local caufcs, premiums could not be claimed, are 
only fuppofed to be, according to the ufual mode of 
planting here, fair tranfplanted trees, not lefs than four 
years old, and at leaft once tranfplanted, at about the 
diftance of fix feet apart, which is found nearly equal 
to 2000 plants to the acre ; but premium planting is 
never confined to this number. 

The plantations, formed prior to the year 1 791, are 
fuppofed to be equal to one hundred acres ; if fur- 
veyed, I clare fay they would amount to more. Thefe 
are fuppofed 2000 plants to the acre at prefent, but 
exceeded that number confiderably fome years ago, as 
a large portion of this part had been originally under 
nurfery, which had been from time to time thinned 

8 2 OUt 5 



iS© STATISTICAL SURVEY 

out ; and, of late, cutting out, inftead of thinning by 
tranfplanting, took place. 

For the laft twenty years, there never were lefs 
than fix acres of fair well eftablifhed nurfery at 
Rafh, for the fupply of the improvements, &c. By 
doing the plants full juftice in point of room, an acre 
,may afford annually 20,000 plants, as 40,000 are not 
too maay for an acre, when completely flocked ; fo 
that, by letting the plants remain two feafons in the 
nurfery, there may be always an annual fupply of 
20,000 ; but this muft be underftood of gentlemens' 
nurferies, who may be fuppofed not fcarce in ground ; 
but it is quite otherwife with nurfery-men, who com- 
monly overftock their nurferies, and, of courfe, the 
plants are too much drawn up for want of room. 

Six acres of nurfery, according to the above ftate- 
ment, would produce, in twenty years, 2,400,000 
plants ; and I have fhewn, that 

820,732 trees were planted in the demefne; 
100,000 fuppofed to have been given to tenants. 



920,732 



This fhews a great difference, between the fuppofed 
produce of fix acres of nurfery in twenty years, and 
the number here dated, which can only be accounted 
for by the great quantities of trees put out as nur- 
feries 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 181 

feries (now manure plantations), prior to 1791, and 
what were given as prefents to the gentlemen of this 
county and others. 



Of any Improvements , which may occur for future en" 
couragementy and particularly for the prefervation of 
Trees <when planted. 

Without clofe attention to the following requifites, 
it is in vain to plant. 

Complete fencing, and guarding againft cattle. Pre- 
paring the foil according to circumftances, particularly 
in rendering it fufficiently dry, when it is naturally too. 
wet. Encreafing fhelter by every means, where ne- 
ceffary ; and planting judicioufly the different fpecies 
of plants, agreeably to the foils and afpe&s they are 
belt calculated for. 

The different modes, made ufe of for the encourage- 
ment and prefervation of plantations, fhall be fully 
ftated, when I come to treat of Lord Mountjoy's im- 
provements at large, to which I fhall refer as a model, 
that has been found, from feveral years experience, to, 
have completely anfwered the end s 

It is in the power of the Society to adopt a mode, 
by which planting cannot fail of being confiderably 
improved, 

Hitherto* 



i »* STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Hitherto, no reftricYions have been laid on the iize 
or age of plants, under the head of premium planting, 
and, of courfe, vaft quantities of feedlings have been 
planted, fince the commencement of this falutary in- 
flitution. 

Seedlings in general are not calculated for our foils, 
upon the great fcale of planting. It is in vain to pur- 
fue the fame modes here, as are pra&ifed in Scotland, 
^nd other parts of Great Britain ; the luxuriance of 
our foils, in general, points out the abfurdity of the 
fyftem. 

The Society requires, that a certain number of 
plants muft be firft planted to each plantation acre, 
and that a given quantity muft be kept up for a certain 
number of years. When feedlings compofe part of 
fuch plantations, they mufl be narrowly watched from 
time to time, in order to keep up the quantity fpecified. 
by the Society. 

I know, from much experience, that this mode in 
the end becomes very expenfive, and that at the lofs 
of many thoufands of trees, which might otherwife be 
faved •, and, after all, the defired end is fcarcely ever 
completely anfwered, at leaft, not (o effectually, as if 
the planting had been formed, the firft day, of regular 
well-conditioned tranfplanted trees, that would at once 
defy the luxuriance of our fpontaneous growth, and 
give no further trouble, after being fairly planted, till 
the operation of thinning ihould take place. 

The 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 183 

The improvement I beg leave to fuggeft is, that the 
valuable trees, fuch as oak, larch, SpaniQi chefnut, 
beech, fycamore, elm, a(h, pine, &c. fhould at lead bq 
once tranfplanted, and that for two feafons before they 
are put out for good, fo that, in moft cafes, the plants 
fhould be four years old at that time, which, for the 
generality of deciduous trees, is certainly the beft age. 

In this cafe, the number of valuable trees might be 
limited to one thoufand to each acre, which might be 
replaced, in cafes of accidents, agreeably to the term, 
fpecified by the Society. 

I would lay no reftraint upon any quantity of infe- 
rior timber the Society might think proper to allow, 
over and above the number above ftated, fuch as birch, 
alder, mountain-am, &c; thefe, with fome of the pop- 
lar and fallow kinds, are free growers, and capable of 
taking care of themfelves, though put out as feedlings, 
or cuttings, 



Sect. 10. Of Nurferies within the County, and Extent 
of Sales. 

There is not a nurfery for fale within the county, 
though few counties in the kingdom are better calcu- 
lated for that purpofe. I am fully convinced, that 
planting would go on rapidly, were there only a few 

eflablifhed 



i8 4 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

eftabli/hed nurferies, where planters might refort to, 
without being at the expence of fending to diftant 
parts. It is not the price that ever deter8 men, who 
only plant upon a fmall fcale, but the diftance of car- 
riage, and the hazard of fuffering by bad packing, 
and of the plants being too long out of ground. Thefe 
are certainly fome of the principal caufes of planting 
not being more general, and not any pecuniary views. 

In the courfeof my agricultural excurfions in 1800, 
and 1 801, I have had many unpleafant reflections, in 
travelling over wafte tra&s, which are fcarcely calcu- 
lated, or ever can be, for any purpofe, except for plant- 
ing, and where little or no expence in enclofing would 
be found neceflary, particularly in rocky fituations, 
where large ftones are in plenty, and might be eafily 
collected to form rough dry walls. 

The firft great point to attend to, mould be to give 
every kind of encouragement to nurfery-men, con- 
fining them only to common articles, fuch as thorn- 
quicks, afti, oak, beech, larch, fir, fycamore, alder, 
&c. Grand juries and farming focieties might do 
fomething by way of encouragement, as well as the 
Dublin Society. 

Were nurferies eftablifhed fufliciently numerous, 
gentlemen would be induced to plant one hundred 
trees for the one they do at prefent *, and, when plant- 
ing became general, there would be no temptation for 
dealing, lince it is a well-known faft, that, when any 

article 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 185 

article becomes plenty, the temptation for pilfering 
diminilhes in proportion to the encreafe of the article. 
I dare fay, when potatoes were firft introduced, it was 
found difficult to fave them from the common people. 
I know, from experience, that, when the turnip fyftem 
was firft eftabiifned at Collon, by the Right Hon. John 
Fofler, for the firft feafon vaft quantities of them were 
taken away by the common people ; but it was foon 
found, that, by giving up a fmall part of a field for the 
purpofe of fupplying every poor perfon, who might 
want a few turnips, and giving a little turnip-feed to 
fuch as might be difpofed to fow it, it foon put an end 
to any thing like pilfering. 

So, with refpecl to timber-trees, if nurferies were 
eftablifhed, fo ' as to make thefe articles general, and 
that gentlemen would turn their thoughts upon divid- 
ing with their tenants, or otherwife encourage them to 
raife or purchafe plants, we would, in a very little time, 
find all people difpofed to purfue one common caufe. 
This, with long leafes, and other encouragements, 
would foon make a great change in favour of plantings, 

I have often turned my thoughts, with refpect to the 
moil eligible fituations for nurferies in the county. 
Strabane, Omagh, Aughnacloy, Clogher, and Dun- 
gannon, appear to me the befl ; not only on account 
of finding at thofe places favourable foils and fitua- 
tions, but alfo of dividing the county tolerably regular, 
and, in general, convenient to the neighbouring coun- 
ties, 



1 86 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

ties, which could not fail of finding material advantage 
from fuch fituations. 

Befides the encouragement already mentioned, given 
by the Dublin Society, &c, much might be done by the 
gentlemen of landed property, without being at any ma- 
terial expence to themfelves. A kind of guardianship 
over the refpective nurferies is as much as might be 
expected from them or their agents ; to fee that the 
fales might go on regularly, the prices fettled once a 
year, and proper returns of flock made out, with other 
ufeful regulations. 

The nurfery, we mail fuppofe at or near Strabane, 
might be patronized by the Marquis of Abercorn, the 
Biftiop of Derry, the Hon. A. C. Hamilton, &c. 

That at Omagh by Lord Mountjoy, Lord Belmore, 
Mr. Stewart the Attorney General, &c. 

That at Aughnacloy, Clogher, or probably Fintona, 
by Lord Belmore (as he has extenfive properties in the 
county), Sir William Richardfon, Mr. Montray, Mr. 
Montgomery, Mr. Eccles, &c. 

That at, or near Dungannon, by Lord Northland, 
Mr. Knox, Lord Powerfcourt, Lord Callidon, Lord 
Charlemont, Mr. Stewart of Killymoon, &c 



Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 187 



Sect. ii. Prices of Timber, and State of it in the 

County, 

The prices of timber are very high, and it is difficult 
to procure upon any terms. The Hon. A. C. Hamilton's 
woods, in Munterloney, for many years back afforded 
the chief fupply to the county for cabin-building, flide- 
cars, ploughs, &c, but thofe woods are now almoft cut 
down. The woods were chiefly of oak, and will, of 
courfe, be a confiderable time before they come round 
again, as the time limited to keep cattle out, after 
being cut, is by far too little, not more, I underftand, 
than eight years. Indeed cattle fhould never be fuf- 
fered to get into woods at any period. 

At prefent a couple, or principal, for a cabin of fix- 
teen feet wide, coils from 5/. to 8jv, a dozen of ribs 
for a cabin, from 6s. to ios.-, a Hide-car £tr., and fo on. 
The timber is never fold by the foot from thofe woods, 
as the dimenfions are too fmall for that purpofe. 

Afh is remarkably fcarce; it is chiefly ufed for 
wheel-cars and ploughs : the fluff for the former 
ufually cofls two guineas, and the latter from 12s. to 
16s. : many of the latter are made of oak and birch, 
but afh. is much better for that purpofe. Afh is fre- 
quently fold by the cubical foot, at fo high a price as 

3'- 3 d - 

Foreign 



1 88 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Foreign fir at this time (1801) fells at Strabane fo 
high as 61. per ton. 

The chief reliance the county has, is upon bog-fir, 
■which many of the bogs produce in great plenty, but it 
is in general attended with great difficulty and expence 
in being able to manage it, for want of roads, and pro- 
per conveniencies to raife it. This timber is fometimes 
fold at half a crown the cubical foot, for the purpofes 
of loom-timber and mill-fhafts, but bog-timber in ge- 
neral is fold by bulk, efpecially bog-oak. Even-grained 
bog-fir is looked upon to be full as good for roofing 
and lofting ftables, &c. as foreign fir or pine*, it makes 
excellent laths, and, when beaten out into fmall fila- 
ments, is found to anfwer for ropes, which are princi- 
pally ufed for cording of beds, and, in damp places, 
■will laft confiderably longer than hempen ropes. 
Twenty yards is the ufual length for a bed-cord, 
which is commonly bought for lod. The roots and 
fragments of the bog- fir are ufed for this purpofe, and 
it is a kind of trade with many poor people in the 
vicinities of bogs. 

It has been ftated, under the article Habitation, fuel, 

food, &c, how far the thinning of Lord Mountjoy's 

improvements ferves the country,, fo jfar as alludes to 

cabin-building. Here I fhall only add a few articles, 

ufed for other purpofes. 

A Hide- 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 

£■ '• 
A Aide-car of fpruce-fir, - - -03 

Car-feet of birch or alder, per pair, -00 

A ladder, from twelve to eighteen feet, of 

fpruce-fir, from 6s. 6d. to - -010 

A plough of birch, - - - -012 

A two-horfe harrow of birch, - -08 

Shovel, and fork-handles, of afh, each, o o 

Swingle-trees of afh, each, - -00 

Rakes, finifhed, of afh, each, - -01 

Turf-kifhes of various forts, each, -06 

Manure-kifhes, each, from is. 2d. to -04 

Potatoe-bafkets, each, from 6d. to -01 



189 

d. 

3 

6i 

o 
o 
o 
6| 

1 
6 

4 

o 



Sect. 12. Quantity of Bog and Wajle Ground, 



It is not eafy to afcertain the quantity of bog and 
wafle ground throughout the county •, and, even if it 
could be actually made out, it would only anfwer for 
one feafon's information, as every year adds confider- 
ably to the quantity of land brought into culture, mea- 
dow, and pafture. 

Perhaps, within the laft twenty years, this county 
has made as rapid a progrefs, with refpe£t to the bring- 
ing in of wafte land, as any other in the kingdom, and 
particularly mountain ; yet a vaft deal remains to be 

done, 



i 9 o STATISTICAL SURVEY 

done, and much of what has been done is ftill capable 
of further improvement. 

Poffibility and means of improving it. 

To enter into a minute detail of the different practi- 
cal modes, necefTary to purfue for the improvement of 
the great variety of foils of this county, would require 
a large volume, which, however, at a future day, I 
hope to fet forth in another work, now in tolerable 
forwardnefs. At prefent I fhall only ftate a few ob- 
fervations, relative to the great outlines of reclaiming 
unprofitable land. 

I have already treated largely on the fubjecT: of roads; 
but the nature of the object under confideration re- 
quires me to fay a little more here. It has been ob- 
ferved of what infinite advantage roads are, in help- 
ing to get at bog-timber, limellone, &c. Now, in 
cafe of bog-timber and limeflone being altogether out 
of the queftion, and that a large fcope of bog or moun- 
tain was in contemplation of being reclaimed, the ntfl 
object the cultivator fhould have in view, after drain- 
ing, are roads, to draw forward materials to reclaim 
fuch parts ; therefore draining and making of roads 
fhould go hand in hand, fince their depeudance on 
each other is fo nearly connected. 

It is the public who pay for roads, and there is 
no doubt that every encouragement fhould be given to 

them, 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 191 

them, to make the mod they can of every circumftance, 
that may naturally occur in their refpective diflricts, 
for the improvement of their lands. 

Since timber is at prefent fo extravagantly high, and 
the profpect of a fupply of it, for domeflic purpofes, fo 
very remote, every advantage fhould be taken, to ac- 
commodate the public with the kind of wood, that 
naturally offers in almoft every bog in the county, 
enough, I dare fay, to fupply the country for ages ; 
but the extreme difficulty of being able to get at it, 
when raifed, renders it, in many cafes, dearer than 
foreign timber, when all the trouble attending it is 
confidered. 

Among the various means of improvement, none 
appears more effectual than watering or irrigating land, 
when at all practicable. It is, indeed, a very pleafing 
reflects :• to find, what rapid ftrides this ufeful im- 
provement is making of late. But, as might be ex- 
pected, the people in general are ignorant, both of the 
proper application, and execution of the work} but, 
no doubt, they will foon fall into meafures fo nearly 
connected with their real interefts, and where fo little 
fpeculation is neceffary to remove every doubt of ha- 
zard or rifque. It is the genius of the people of thefe 
parts, to embrace immediately any improvement, in 
which a fpeedy return of gain is the prevailing object ; 
among which the fubject under confideration is one 
of the utmoft importance, fmce the expence is nothing, 

when 



i 9 2 • STATISTICAL SURVEY 

when compared to the great benefits to be derived, 
and efpecially, when the work is executed in a good 
manner. 

Farming focieties, no doubt, will always encourage 
this fpecies of improvement. 

Mr. Stewart, of Stranorlan, in the county of Done- 
gal, has fet a good example on foot, with refpecl to 
draining and irrigation. He brought over from Staf- 
fordshire a perfon, who has given a ftrong fpecimen 
of the good effects of irrigation, and, of courfe, has 
fet a good example to others. This perfon is now 
(1802) actually employed, at fo much a year, by the 
Raphoe farmers' fociety. Indeed I may date the com- 
mencement of irrigation, done in a workman-like man- 
ner, from Stranorlan, in the year 1800, which was the 
commencement of Mr. Stewart's operations. 

I am very far from being againft importing perfons 
from England and Scotland, for the purpofe of water- 
ing, or any other improvement ; but, upon the other 
hand, in fome particular inftances, I approve of it. In 
general, however, I apprehend, that this country would 
reap more folid advantage, and that in a fhorter time, 
by fending perfons to thofe parts, and particularly to 
the Lothians of the latter. 

The fubjecl: in queflion admits of fo many modes of 
performing it, that it would take up a volume to do it 
any degree of juftice, and, after all, much would re- 
main to be done. There is fcarcely a fpot, which does 

not 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 193 

not require fome mode peculiar to itfelf. There is, 
however, one circumltance, which mud always be 
complied with where neceflary; otherwife watering, 
inftead of improving land, will injure it, and render it 
worfe than before the operation took place. This is, 
the effectually getting clear of fprings, and ftagnated 
water, before irrigation be attempted. 

The great point to confider is, to cheapen the work 
as much as poflible, where draining is neceflary prior 
to watering, as many of thofe drains, neceflary to drain 
the land, may be alfo found ufeful to act as conductors 
or leaders, to anfwer irrigation ; that is, when the act 
of irrigation is not going on, many of the drains may 
perpetually act in draining. 

There has been a good deal laid of late, on the fub- 
ject of draining, by Elkington and others, to which I 
refer. In many cafes, great accuracy in levelling is re- 
quifite : the fpirit level is not in the power of every far- 
mer, and even if it was, few underftand the application 
of it. The common mafon's level is tedious ; for ex- 
pedition, the ifofceles triangle is the beft, and is as ac- 
curate as any : with this a man can level almofl as fall 
as he can walk, attended by a boy to carry pins, to 
ftick down where the level may point out. 



There 



194 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

There is a great deal in habit in any undertaking * 
fo with levelling ; a good eye never fails to facilitate 
this kind of bufinefs* 

In 1 80 1, I found a great number of Lord Mount- 
joy's tenants bufily employed in watering their mea- 
dows and pafture-grounds. As it was the firft year, 
of courfe it was managed in a flovenly and imperfect 
manner. I fingled out a perfon, who was in the habit 
of watering for fome little time before in the demefne. 
This man has an exceeding good eye, and has alfo a 
great liking to irrigation, which is every thing. I fent 
him, with his fimple triangular level, through the ef- 
tate ; and, in the courfe of a few weeks, he made a 
wonderful reformation in the ideas of the people, fb 
that now the greater part of them are practitioners, 
and irrigation is become quite a fcience among them. 

I only mention this circumflance as a hint to im- 
provers, as every neighbourhood in the kingdom muft 
have fome perfons, whofc abilities are fuperior to 
thofe of others, and therefore it fhould be the object 
of the proprietors to felect them. 

The advancing of money to poor tenants, at the time 
of taking out a leafe, would, no doubt, in many in- 
ftances, produce a good effect, in forwarding the means 
of improvements, or rather placing the money on fuch 
a footing, as to be occafionally laid out on improve- 
ments, according to contract 

Tenants 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 195 

Tenants in general are fo wretchedly poor, that a 
great length of time elapfes before any permanent ad- 
vantage can derive to them from the improvement of 
their farms. Indeed it is too frequently the cafe, that, 
during the whole courfe of the leafe, for want of 
means or ability, the farm does not yield probably 
one-fourth of what it might have done under good 
management, and laying .out fome money early, for 
ditching, draining, liming, &c. 

Inftead of the landlord being a lofer by this mode, 
he would find, at the expiration of the leafe, a great 
benefit, and encreaie of property. 

If, for example, a farm confifts of twenty acres, at 
10/. a year upon a thirty-one years leafe, let the land- 
lord, for the firfl: fifteen years, advance 3/. a year, to 
be laid out in draining, liming, &c. The next fixteen 
years, the rent may be raifed to 13/. a year. By this 
mode, the landlord will be nothing out of pocket ; and 
it is very plain, that no interefr, accruing from 45/., 
could be equal to the encreafed value of the land, at 
the expiration of the leafe. 

There might be other modes adopted, to enable the 
tenant to get on, according to circumftances 5 I only 
fuggeft this as a hint. 

It is evident, that long leafes muft be a powerful 

means of improving lands. Upon fhort leafes, fuch as 

twenty-one years, men have no fpirit to get forward, 

and efpecially where confidence does not exift between 

2 matter 



i9<5 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

matter and tenant, which, indeed, is too often the 
cafe. 

Farming focieties may produce a good effett, by 
giving premiums, and alfo by employing perfons, 
fkilled in the improvement of bog and mountain, to 
inftruct the people. 

Much might be done with refpecl: to burning of lime 
upon a large fcale. Public lime-kilns fhould be intro- 
ducedj and fome bounty or premium offered ; indeed, 
without them, lime would find its own level, by charg- 
ing a reafonable price. This is fully demonflrated by 
Mr. Stewart aforefaid, who built a kiln feveral years 
ago, and continues to fell the lime to his tenants at a 
reafonable rate, and to tenants of other efhtes at a 
more advanced price than what he charges his own. 
The good effects, produced by this inftitution, foon 
became evident throughout his eftate, fince, for every 
barrel of lime, that had been formerly laid on the land, 
twenty barrels have been ufed fince the eftablifhment 
of the kiln. 

From my own knowledge of this county, I am in- 
clined to believe, that, by eftablifhing lime-kilns, and 
felling at a reafonable rate, it would be found one of 
the beft improvements that could be introduced. 

A barrel of lime, containing thirty-fix gallons,* ge- 
nerally cofis from \8d. to 2s. The carriage of lime- 

ftone, 

* The barrel fhould be forty-two gallons. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 197 

ftone, for perhaps three or four miles, renders this arti- 
cle extremely high, as the itone is confiderably heavier 
before than after it is burned. The true plan, there- 
fore, is, to have the lime-kiln built as convenient to 
the quarry and bog -as poflible, particularly to the 
former. 

At a public lime-kiln, where bufinefs is well at- 
tended to, there will feldom happen any difappoint- 
ment ; whereas there is no end to the delay and trou- 
ble attending lime burned in the uiual way, in little 
fony pot-kilns,* which are perpetually out of order. 

Fully convinced of the utility of a public kiln, I 
have engaged in this bufinefs upon a large fcale, and 
am convinced, that I fhall be able to fell lime at 14*/. 
a barrel the year round. 



Objiacles to improvement^ and the beft means of removing 
them. 

The means of improvement, being underftood and 
complied with, mult, in fome meafure, remove the 
obftacles. 

The 

* A pot-kiln is nothing more than a hole dug out of the 
fide of a dry bank, built up with ftones, without any cement, 
one fide of which muft be broke up for the purpofe of getting 
out the lime, when burned. Thefe kilns are of various fizes, 
but feldom exceed thirty barrels of roche-lime. 



J 9$ STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The following feem to be among the greatefr, obsta- 
cles to improvement. 

Rack-rent appears to be the moft diftreffing to the 
community at large, but particularly to the cultivator 
of the foil, and never fails to affect the head landlord 
in fome degree. The more intermediate tenants there 
are, between the lord of the foil, and the perfon who 
cultivates it, the worfe for both, becaufe it is very evi- 
dent, that every perfon, who may have a claim or an 
intereft in the land, will, of courfe, have fome profit. 
This clearly points out, that the landlord is not paid 
the real value for his land, and that the under or 
lowefl tenant pays a great deal too much. 

Happy would it be for the profperity of the king- 
dom, if no perfon was concerned in land, except the 
lord of the foil, and thofe, who actually cultivate it. 

Agents, not acquainted with country bufinefs, may 
be confidered a great bar to improvement. The im- 
provement of land depends very much upon the acti- 
vity and knowledge of agents. 

I. believe it is a general cuftom throughout the king- 
dom, to exact duties of men and horfes from the te- 
nantry of eftates, to bring home the landlord's fuel, 
corn, &c; I know it is generally the cafe in this 
county. In another place, under the article, General 
Jlate of Leafes> I have pointed out fome objections to 
this mode; here I have only to remark, that I confider 
it a great impediment to induftry, becaufe fuch as are 

bound 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 199 

bound to fulfil fuch petty engagements, muft always 
attend at feafons when their own works are moft 
preifing. 

The fituations of many mills are alfo great obftacles , 
to improvement. 

There is another circumftance, much complained of 
by farmers in general. They have a notion, that bog 
and mountain, newly reclaimed, mud become fubjeft 
to tithe, fo foon as they are brought into a ftate of cul- 
tivation. I underfland, that fome fecurity is fettled by- 
law for new improvements ; of this, however, the 
people are in general ignorant. 



Sect. 13. Habits of indujlry, or want of induftry 
among the people. 

It is rare to find more induftrious people, than thofe 
of this county generally are. The want of induftry 
proceeds more from not having the means of being in- ; 
duftrious, than from the inclination of the people to- 
wards idlenefs. In tracts, capable of producing corn, 
potatoes, and flax, we find few fpecimens of floth or 
inactivity ; both men and women are ufefully employed. 
At night, in the winter time, it is very common for a 
labourer to make 6d. or Sd. by weaving, after his day's 
labour. Girls, of nine or ten years of age, generally 

make from is. to is. 6d. a week by fpinning. 

It 



zoo STATISTICAL SURVEY 

It is only in the mountainous parts that we find any 
thing, that appears not induftrious. In thofe parts, the 
management of potatoes, oats, and turf, is chiefly the 
outer work, which occupies the men only part of 
the year; the remainder is generally employed in 
weaving. 

Whenever tafk, or piece-work, occurs, it never fails 
to excite induftry. 

The hardihip the poor people, who occupy moun- 
tainous parts, labour chiefly under is the want of flax, 
as many mountains are not fit to produce that article ; 
therefore they mufl purchafe, frequently at a dear 
rate. Perhaps there is no way, by which the poor 
could be more materially aflifted, than by laying up 
ftores of flax when cheap, and felling it to them at 
the firft colt; this might be a confideration worthy of 
the attention of farming focieties and others. 

The various exertions, ufed by many in collecting 
manures, are furprifing. I have frequently found half 
an acre of potatoes in the poiTeffion of poor families, 
who had not a four-footed beait. except a cat or dog ; 
and all made from mud or mire, afhes, rufh.es, fprit, 
Sec. Broom and furze, in flrong clay foils, anfwer 
extremely well for manure for potatoes, and of thefe 
the poor take advantage where they are to be found. 
I have known good crops of potatoes produced from 
common heath or heder. 

Sect. 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 201 



Sect. 14. The ufe of the Englijh Language — whether 
general^ or how far increafing. 

Except through the wilds of Munterloney (chiefly 
in the barony of Strabane) the Englifh language is 
moft prevalent ; indeed throughout the county it is 
gaining ground every day. The Roman Catholics arc 
the only fett, who are fond of fpeaking the Irifh lan- 
guage, and with them too it is wearing off very much. 

The people of this county in themfelves differ as 
much, perhaps, as thofe of feparate kingdoms. The 
people of the baronies of Dungannon and Clogher are 
much more polifhed, than thofe of Strabane and Omagh 
generally are. The inhabitants of Strabane and its 
vicinity feem quite a different race of people from thofe 
of Munterloney, who are in the fame barony. In 
like manner thofe, in and about Omagh, differ from 
the parifhes of Tarmonmaguirk and Tarmonomungan, 
in the fame barony. This obfervation holds good with 
refpeft to all the towns, and country parts. 



Sect. 



203 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 15. Account of Towers, Ca/lles, Monajleries, 
Ancient buildings y or places remarkable for any hiflo- 
rical event. 

I do not recoiled! having met a round tower in the 
county, or any remains of one ; and although round 
towers are peculiar to many parts of the kingdom, yet 
very few of them are to be met with in the North. 

Old cafues are numerous, but in general they appear 
to have never been of much confcquence, or of any 
confiderable ftrength ; many of them, however, are 
partly compofed of a very ftrong cement, and almoft 
impoffible to reduce, even with gun-powder. 

The following are the moft confiderable in the 
county. 

One in the town of Newtown-ffcewart, but not very 
ancient. Another near the town, circularly built, and 
of great antiquity. This, we are informed, had been 
the refidence of the kings of Ulfler. Part of this old 
caftle projects eight feet beyond its bafe, and has the 
appearance of being fufpended in the air, fo great is the 
ftrength of the cement, which keeps the Itones to- 
gether. 

At Baron's-court, near New town-flew art, is an old 
€a(lle, fimilar to that in the town, and it appears to be of 

about 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 203 

about the fame antiquity. We are informed, that both 
were burned by the Irifh in 1641, and even at that 
time inhabited. A fourth caftle is faid to have been 
near the town, but at prefent we can make out no 
traces of it. 

Kerlifh caftle, near Drumquin, appears to be very 
ancient, and is of confiderable extent. 

Two old caftles near Dunnamanagh, in the barony 
of Strabane. 

Benburb, on the borders of the county, in the ba- 
rony of Dungannon, appears to be the largeft in tho 
county. It is built on a limeflone rock, upwards of 
120 feet nearly perpendicular, over the Black-water, 
which at the caftle forms nearly a right angle, fo that 
two fides of it were completely fortified by nature. 
Though the materials for building are here remark- 
ably good, both lime, fand, and ftone, yet the caftle 
was but weakly built, the cement was bad, and the 
jftones commonly of the pebble kind. 

At fome diftance from the caftle, in the village of 
Benburb, is a fmall ancient building, which appears to 
have been a watch-houfe belonging to the caftle; this 
is ftrongly built. Another fmall building, near the 
latter, feems to have been intended to fupport a fun- 
dial. 

At Augher, in Sir William Richardfon's demefae, is 
a beautifulold caftle upon a fmall fcale, which is kept 
in tolerable prefervation. 

The 



204 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

The caftle of mod confeqaence in the county, is that 
of Mountjoy, or Mountjoy-caftle, on the borders of 
Lough Neagh, which is indeed a fine venerable pile of 
building. 

From the great number of town-lands throughout 
the county, of which the word caftle makes part of the 
name, fuch as Caftle-town, Caftle-rody, Green-caftle> 
&c. we have reafon to conjecture, that numbers of 
caflles formerly exifted, of which, at prefent, we can 
trace nothing but the names. This obfervation is 
not peculiar to the county of Tyrone •, it is general 
throughout the kingdom. 

Except old caftles, other ancient buildings are very 
rare. 

As to monafteries, though a confiderable portion of 
land is tithe-free, yet I do not recoiled* having feen 
the remains of any old monaftery. 

Danifh forts and Druids' altars are very numerous ; 
the former are held in great reverence by the common 
people, in any of which we feldom find the traces of 
the plough or fpade. The planting of fuch confpicuous 
fpots would add much to the beauty of the country, 
and the fencing of them would be attended with very 
little expence, as they are fo circumftanced, that the 
fence is already in a great meafure completed, or at 
leaf* might be made fo with very little trouble. There 
are few places where trees would profper better, the 
foil having been originally collected and brought there 

from 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 205 

from other parts ; and on this account, and from its 
never being broken up, we frequently find it both deep 
and rich. 

There are other monuments to be met with, held in 
great veneration by the lower clafs, and particularly 
thofe of the Roman Catholics, fuch as ftone crofTes, 
many of which are filled with hieroglyphic figures, 
and holy wells, as they are called, where people make 
flations, or perform a kind of pilgrimage. The com- 
mon people not only act this kind of mummery, as they 
fuppofe, for the falvation of their fouls, but give the 
waters to their cattle, at certain feafons, as an antidote 
againfl diforders, which probably do not exift. 



Sect. 16. Churches— Reftdent Clergy — Glebes, and 
Glebe-houfes. 

With very few exceptions, the clergy are all refi- 
dents. There may be fome inftances of pluralifts. but 
this is not common in this county at prefent. As to 
glebes and glebe-houfes, the queftions are anfwered in 
the firft chapter, under the Divifions of the county. 



Sect. 



2o6 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



Sect. 17. Whether the County has been aclually fur- 
veyed — when and whether the Survey is publijhed? 

In the years 1774, 1775, and 1776, a furvey of the 
county was made out by Meflrs. William and Conyng- 
ham M £ Crea. A very accurate and well executed map 
was made out for the gentlemen of the county about 
the fame time, which is always to be feen in the 
Grand jury room of the county, at the time of the af- 
fizes, for the purpofe of infpe&ion. 

Under the article, Roads and Bridges, I have taken 
notice of this fubjecT:, with refpecl to the manner of 
improving this map, to which I refer. 



Sect. 18. Weights and Meafures, liquid or dry — in 
what injiances are Weights ajfignedfor Meafures — or 
vice verfa* 

Except tar, and treacle or molalTes, liquids are fold 
by meafure ; thefe articles are generally fold by weight. 
Honey is fometimes fold by weight. Selling by weight 
is preferred, in order to avoid wafle, becaufe thofe 
glutinous fubftances adhere, in a great degree, to the 
veflels, in which they are meafured \ fo that, by firft 

weighing 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 207 

weighing the veflels, in which they are intended to be 
put, wafte is effectually avoided. 

Oats and potatoes are occafionally meafured, be- 
tween parties in the country, but very feldom in the 
public market. 



SECT. 19. The Weight or Meafure, by which Grain, 
Flour y Potatoes, Butter, &c. are fold. 

Grain is commonly fold by weight in the public 
market, but oats are ufually fold by meafure be- 
tween farmers, and efpecially feed-corn. Six (lone, of 
141b. avoirdupois, is reckoned equal to a meafure of 
oats, and three meafures, or eighteen ftone, to a barrel. 
When bought or fold by weight, the price is com- 
monly fettled by the ftone. Seven ftone is confidered 
equal to a meafure of barley, and three meafures, or 
twenty-one ftone, are equal to a barrel; this is alfo 
ufually contracted for by the ftone. Twelve ftone is a 
barrel of malt, which is always fold by weight. Bar- 
ley is feldom fold at the public market ; private diftil- 
lers buy vaft quantities of it by private contract, and 
by fample. 

Flour is fold by the hundred weight, of eight ftone, 
or 1 1 2 lb. *, it is alfo retailed by the ftone, and by the 
pound. 

Oatmeal 



ao8 STATISTICAL SURVEY 

Oatmeal is almoft univerfally fold by the peck of 
10 lb. by retail -, twelve pecks being equal to the long 
hundred, or i2olb., which is the ufual ftandard for 
oatmeal. In ' fome parts oatmeal is fold by the fcore, 
\thich is equal to two pecks, twenty of which are 
confidered a barrel of meal, being equal to 3 cwt. 
2 qrs. 8 lb. of the fhort hundred, or 112 lb. 

Potatoes are generally fold at market by the ftone, 
but the farmers fell large quantities in the country by 
the meafure, which is reckoned equal to eight flone j 
but, when heaped, as is the ufual cuflom, the meafure 
generally exceeds nine ftone. A meafure of potatoes 
weighs more in winter, than in fpring or fummer *, the 
fame remark will hold good for oats. Oatmeal cer- 
tainly encreafes in weight by age, but fince that article 
is fold by weight, there is no danger of the poor fuf- 
fering. In general, throughout the county, forty (lone 
of potatoes is equal to a barrel. 

Frefh butter is ufually fold by the pound of eighteen 
ounces ; but faked butter is fold by the ftandard 
pound of fixteen ounces. 

Flax-feed is always fold by the gallon when retailed, 
and by the hogfhead when fold by wholefale. The 
hogfhead contains from fixty to feventy gallons. 

Hides and tallow are fometimes fold by the fliort 
hundred, or ii2lb., and alfo by the long hundred, or 
i2olb.-, either of which cannot affecT: the buyer or 
feller, as the price by the pound is always underftood. 

Candles 



OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 209 

Candles are fold by the pound, and foap by the 
ftone and the pound. 

Notwithftanding the murmuring, refpecYing weights 
and meafures in other counties, I think in this county 
there is no juft caufe for complaint, fince the pound 
of fixteen ounces, and the ftone of fourteen pounds, 
are fo well underftood, by which the foregoing and 
many other articles are governed. I fcarcely know of 
any exception, unlefs in wool and frefh butter ; the 
former is rated at i61b. to the ftone, and, whether 
fold by wholefale or retail, the price is generally go- 
verned by the pound. 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX 



An Account of Lord Moimtjofs Improvements at Rajh, 
and the maimer of carrying them, into execution, from 
the year 1 778, to the prefent time. 



• tfe®@>f<^>l3> <•>««•• 



Sect. I . Seminary and Nurfcry. 

EARLY in the year 1778, the firft ideas for the 
improvements took place ; but, for the two firft years, 
little more was done, than the eftablifhing of femina- 
ries and nurferies, which, confidering the great extent 
of the defign, required to be upon a large fcale, It 
was not the fupply of the demefne alone, to raife trees, 
for, that was in contemplation, but that of many large 
mafles of planting throughout his Lordfhip's eftates in 
this county, amounting, in the whole, to about 36,000 
plantation acres. Thofe objects, with that of being 
able to fupply a numerous tenantry with fuch forelt- 
p 2 trees 



2 APPENDIX. 

trees as were found fuitable, required to keep up ex- 
teniive and regular courfes of feminary and nurfery. 

It was foon found necedary to eftablilh. -nurferies in 
various parts of the deirtefne, in order to fave the ex- 
pence of carnage, and alfo to give the young plants a 
habit, from their infancy, to bear the different ex- 
pofures they were intended for, with a certainty of 
fuccefs. This fcheme was found to anfwer completely; 
indeed, upon fo large a fcale, it would be wrong to 
confine the nurfery to one or two particular fpots. 

The Right Hon. John Fofter, no doubt, was the firfl 
who eftablifhed nurferies and feminaries, to any great 
extent, in his own demefne at Collon, in the county of 
Louth ; and it is to him alone we are indebted for 
this, and many other falutary inftitutions. 

The late Lord Mountjoy was one of Mr. Fofter's 
earlieft pupils, with refpect to planting; and time and 
perfeverance have (hewn, that his Lordfhip made a ra- 
pid progrefs, not in planting alone, but in various other 
improvements, fuch as draining, enclofing, laying down 
grounds of various defcriptions, embanking, &c. Thefe, 
with feveral other improvements (many of which fall 
within the plan fuggefted by the Society), I (hall in this 
place endeavour to make clear. 

At the commencement of the improvements, vafl 
quantities of feedlings were ordered from Scotland and 
other parts. This was done with a view of faving, or 
rather gaining two feafons, as the plants, fo purchafed 5 

were 



APPENDIX. 3 

were fuppofed to come round for planting out for goody 
two years fooner than thofe raifed from feeds fown at 
the fame time that the feedlings were ordered. In fome 
inltances this precaution anfwered; but, in general, the 
feedlings, raifed upon the fpot, proved vaftly fuperior 
to any of thofe imported; and at this time (1802) there 
is no comparifon at all between the feedlings, got from 
Scotch and Englifh nurferies (generally two years old), 
and plants raifed here from the feed, notwithftanding 
the difference of two years in point of age. 

In fix years we find, that feedlings in general, raifed 
upon the premifes, get the afcendancy over two-year- 
old feedlings, which were imported, and put into nur- 
fery the fame day the feeds were fown ; fo that it is 
much better to wait patiently for the coming round of 
the plants raifed upon the fpot. The truth of this afc 
fertiou I (hall fubmit to any of our great planters, who 
are in the habit of importing feedlings, and have alfo 
eftablifhed feminaries of their own. 

What is here advanced is principally with refpect to 
feedlings imported from Scotland and the north of 
England ; as I would by no means have it underftood, 
that there could be any material lofs, in point of time, 
fuftained by purchafing feedlings from Irifh nurferies, 
when fituated at a reafonable diftance, and when care 
be taken in packing, and difpatch ufed, between the 
times of taking up the feedlings, and pitting them into 
the nurfery, or, what anfwers fully the lame end, the 

moulding 



4 APPENDIX. 

moulding of them fecurely till put out. Between thefe, 
and plants raifed from the feed in the planter's own 
nurfery, there will be found very little difference, pro- 
vided the qualities of both are equal ; this I know 
from long experience. 



Sect. a. The general Plan of fettling the great outline* 
of the Demefne and its appendages. 

Having fettled the general plan for feminaries and 
nurferies, the next care was to afcertain the great out- 
lines of the demefne, with the appendages and interior 
plantations. 

This was not the work of a day ; many days and 
hours were fpent on this fpeculation, with clofe appli- 
cation, and intenfe ftudy. At length the general plans 
were fettled, and the work went on regularly and 
pleafantly. 

The demefne contains about two thoufand Irifh 
plantation acres, with many confiderable appendages. 
It was alfo in contemplation to plant between three and 
four thoufand acres in ftrong mafles throughout the 
eftates. Though the latter was fettled, and regu- 
larly regiftered, yet it was only intended as a feck to 
work upon, when a great redundancy of nurfery-trees 
could be fpared from the improvements of the de- 
mefne^ 



APPENDIX. 5 

mefne, &c> or when the works of the demefne mould 
be brought to fuch perfection, as to be able to under- 
take the intended plantations throughout the eftates. 

At this time (1802) the demefne and its appendages 
are fo far advanced, that the planting of about fifty 
acres would complete the whole, and this in grouping 
and {lender plantations, as finifhing touches, the great 
maflive planting being all completed. 

It is not eafy to fay with accuracy, how many acres 
there are of foild plantings as every feafon there are 
more or lefs planted, which never fall within the pre- 
mium planting, or that reported to the Dublin Society. 
I am fure I may not be far from the truth if I fay five 
hundred acres •, though, by taking a fuperficial view, 
it would appear as if one half of the whole extent had 
been planted ; but this eircumftance is owing to the 
fwelling and undulating difpofition of all the grounds, 
both in the demefne and its environs. 

This account may ferve to ihew, what induitry 
and perfeveranee can do in a fhort time. Twenty- 
two years back, from the prefent year (1802), may 
be confidered the commencement of the improve- 
ments ; and, for progrefs, and high prefervation, I 
am fure they are equal to any in the united king- 
dom. Raifing fhelter, judieioofly improving the 
foils, planting out young, and adapting the plants to 
the foils and afpe&s, were the great objects to attend 
to, and which were the principal means of the rapid 

progrefs, 



6 APPENDIX. 

progrefs, made by all the plantations belonging to 
Lord Mountjoy. But L need not have faid any thing 
with refpect to the progrefs, *as this! point fufficiently 
proves itfelf. 

During the above period, I can to a certainty declare, 
that it did not exceed five pounds to make any altera- 
tion or deviation from the general plan, firft digefted 
and arranged. Hence the good effects arifing from 
fetting out upon a cool, mature, and deliberate plan. 
I wifh the fame could be faid, with propriety, of all 
the improvements throughout the kingdom. 

The nurferies, &c. being fettled, there was no time 
to be loft for enclofing, and preparing the foils intended 
to be planted. It was a general rule to enclofe and 
•plant the higheft and moft expofed fituations firft, 
which are chiefly the weft, fouth-weft, and north- weft, 
thefe being the points moft necefTary to guard againft. 
Another rule was much attended to, namely, to enclofe 
fome time before the planting took place, and alfo, to 
drain, where the foil required it. It was very com- 
mon to enclofe and drain for three feafons before the 
planting commenced, by which means the' nature of 
the foils was entirely, changed ; flielter and draining 
.having acted fo powerfully, and the furze-feeds, fown 
on the backs of the. ditches, becoming complete (belter 
jn three years ; and the ftuff, call: out of the drains, 
went, a great way in deepening the foiL But more of 
this in its proper place. 

Sect. 



APPENDIX. 



Sect. 3. Modes ofenclofmg* 

1. Common ditches. 

2. Louth fences.* 

3. Sunk fences. 

4. Drains in boggy and fwampy fituations, 

5. Living fences, without a gripe or a trench. 

6. Temporary dead fences, made principally of Scotch 

fir, cut down at the age of ten or twelve years. 

7. Common paling, by poll and rail, and by ilieep- 
hurdles. 

1 . The common ditch is chiefly adopted for all the 
interior parts of enclofures and plantations. The gripe 
is generally feven feet wide at top, and two feet at bot- 
tom, and, where the foil will bear it, five feet deep on 
the perpendicular. An ofF-fet or fcarcementf is always 
introduced, from fix to twelve inches broad, according 
to the nature of the foil, or the pofition of the bank ; 
if the ground falls away from the bank, fix inches for 
ofT-fet will anfwer ; if the reverfe, twelve inches are 
generally allowed 3 and, if the bank be on level ground, 

or 

* So called by the writer, from a fpecimen feen by him, 
many years ago, at Rofy Park, in the county of Louth, 
upon a fmall fcale, but executed in a neat and workman-like 
manner. 

f A common phrafe in this county for an oxf-fet. 



8 APPENDIX. 

or nearly fo, between fix and twelve inches are ufually 
left. 

Upon a great fcale, the expence of weeding ditches, 
for three or four years after they are made, becomes 
very confiderable ; this expence is in a great meafure 
faved, by introducing a courfe of flones from fix to 
twelve inches high ; but, previous to this, all the vege* 
table foil of the off-fet, and, alfo, the foil to the thick- 
nefs of the courfe of flones, is caft back, to be conve- 
nient to bed the roots of the thorn quick6 in. Another 
fmall courfe of flones is generally laid over the quicks, 
after being fecurely bedded in good foil. By ufing 
thefe precautions, and always planting flrong thorn 
quicks, never lefs than four years old, having been two 
years tranfplanted into nurfery before they are put into 
the ditches, the expence of weeding becomes next to 
nothing; and, even if the whole face of the bank mould 
moulder away by the weather, the quicks are never in- 
jured, as the flones effectually fecure the roots, which, 
in the common way of ditching, without ofF-fet or 
flones, never fail to be materially injured. 

The only objection people in general have to this 
kind of ditch, is, on account of cattle, particularly 
fheep, being able to walk along the ofF-fet; a few 
flones, laid on the off-fet, may prevent this, or, for 
want of flones, a flight bearding of bru(h-wood of any 
fort. A better hedge is obtained in two years, by plant- 
ing four-year-old quicks, than can be in four years, by 

only 



APPENDIX. 9 

only planting two-year-old quicks. Timber-trees arc 
feldom planted with quicks in the demefne. 

The fliape of the ditch, when -finished, is thus.* 




In a few years, when the hedge becomes ftrong* 
which is mofl commonly the cafe the third year, the 
fpace a, b> c, according to the line a, c> is (loped and 
dreffed, and fo is the bank d, e> to the ftone-courfe at f* 
Both flopes are dreffed with the fward, between b> and 
c, and fwarth borrowed from any neighbouring fpot* 
but, when the fward is fcarce, hay-feed will anfwer ; 
it is common to ufe the fward on the face of the bank 
from d, to e, and fow the flope, a, c, with hay-feed. 

This mode always produces a good effect, and it is 
very evident it is economical. It is chiefly confined, 
however, to where the foil is difpofed to wet or moif- 
ture ; for, where it is perfectly dry, and there is no 
hazard in filling the ditches, the hedges are cut down 

at 

* Colt from is. to 2s. 6J. by the running perch ; and, 
when the Hoping and dreffing takes place, the price by the 
perch is from 4*/. to 6d. 



io APPENDIX. 

at once, after they have attained to fufficient ftrength, 
and the banks levelled in. The dead thorns are placed 
to the front of the quick-line, about two feet from it, 
which effectually fecures the young growth from cat- 
tle, till it becomes fufflciently ftrong, which is mofl 
commonly the cafe in two or three feafons. This an- 
fwers very welL where there is no temptation, to carry 
off the dead thorns for fuel, but here turf is in great 
plenty. In placing the dead hedge, it leans fomewhat 
outwards from the- living hedge, which makes it more 
fecure againft cattle, and admits of more air, as the 
living hedge advances ; a circumftance which mould 
always be attended to, from the moment the hedge is 
cut down. 

In fome inftances, hedges have been cut down 
within about three feet of the furface, and the fide- 
fhoots of what remained worked in to thicken it. I 
am not an advocate for this fyftem, as a complete fence 
afterwards is with great difficulty infured, fince a re- 
gular taper-fafhion, from the bottom, cannot, without 
much trouble and expence, be accomplifhed ; whereas, 
by cutting down the hedge at once, all this inconve- 
niency is avoided, fince the young growth may be 
eafily managed, and kept within bounds. However, 
where perpetual fences are neceffary, which, in pafture 
and meadow grounds, muft be always the cafe, and 
where there is a hazard of carrying away the dead 
hedges for fuel, the cutting down of hedges, at a cer- 
tain 



APPENDIX. ii 

tain diftance above the furface, feems to be the moil 
rational mode. 

2. Louth fence. — Inftead of a wall, built of lime and 
ftone, this fpecies of fence has been adopted feveral 
years ago ; firft, on account of its being one-third 
cheaper built than a wall ; fecondly, it can be executed 
by common labourers ; and thirdly, as it may be 
planted with thorn quicks when found neceflary. 

It was calculated, that a ftone wall, of eight feet 
from the furface, would coft 2/. Ss. 3*/. by the running 
perch. Upwards of two miles of the Louth fence 
have been made, and the average did not exceed 16/. 
by the running perch. In a circuit of between feven 
and eight miles, which is about the extent of the de.- 
mefne-fence of Rafh, the difference between 16s. and 
2/. Ss. ^d. amounts to a large fum ; but the applying 
fo much money among the labourers of the neighr 
bourhood, inftead of mafons indifcriminately collected 
from many parts, was an object of confequence to the 
labouring poor, which the ever to be regretted late 
Lord Mountjoy never loft fight of. 



The 



jf* APPENDIX. 

The under /ketch may ferve to give the reader an 
idea of the manner of building this kind of fence : 



d.oia Surface 



v*-n 



-■==-* 



To every foot in height, there are two inches and a 
half of a batter or (lope, in the face of the ftone 
work from a to b y making in the whole one foot, eight 
inches, from the perpendicular ; the thicknefs of the 
wall at bottom is two feet fix inches, and reduced to 
about ten inches at top, which is always covered with 
a fod, to project a little over the face of the wall, and 
may be produced to any length down the bank, or the 
back F. 

If the triangle a d c, be not found fufheient to form 
the bank F, the ground may be excavated further to g> 
or towards it. 

This fketch is reprefented as if built on level ground, 
or nearly fo. When the ground rifes bold behind the 
fence, lefs fluff will be neceffary to form the back, and 
vice verfa. The cheapeft way of building thefe fences 

is, 



APPENDIX. 13 

is, when they are placed againft the hill, and in fuch 
fituations there is no hazard of flnifhing them off at 
once ; but when the whole of the back muft be form- 
ed, as is the cafe in the annexed fketch, two feafons 
are neceflary to complete them, in order to give the 
mould time to confolidate. 

The greateft care muft be taken in building this kind 
of fence by a frame or gauge, which muft be reduced 
on one fide, and perpendicular on the other ; or, if the 
back part of the frame leans a little from the perpen- 
dicular towards the wall, it will be found ftill better. 
But the fafeft manner of building jthis kind of dry wall 
is,, to have the frame in two parts, one four feet high, 
and another about three feet, which, with a double, 
courfe of fods, will raife the wall to nearly eight feet, 
which is the height ufually adopted here. In making 
the gauges, the befl way is firil to make one to the 
full length of about feven feet and a half, and cut it 
after to the lengths required *, this will be found the 
moft accurate way. A range four feet high may 
be firft carried on to any length, and afterwards come 
on with the fecond range, in which the fhort gauge is 
to be ufed. 



Perhaps 



«4 



APPENDIX. 



Perhaps the under (ketch may ferve bettor to ex- 
plain this, than all I have faid. 



o.io 




After the frame be made, it may be cut at a, a y 
•which is the fureft method to have it made accurate \ 
however, where the back requires but little fluff to be 
caft to form it, and that it is intended to finiih off in 
one feafon, the frame may be left of the whole length, 
and, in that cafe, one of the crofs bars at a, a, may be 
omitted. In any cafe, the workmen will prefer the 
Ihort frame, as it is more manageable than the other. 

From what has been remarked, the fituation mufl 
always determine the depth of the ground to be cut 
away ; in proportion as the bank rifes behind the wall, 
the more cutting will be necefTary, and the lefs filling 
will be required. Where the fituation is level, or 
nearly fo, two feet below the fur face is the ufual depth 

to 



APPENDIX. 



15 



to fink for the foundation, and the ground afterwards 
(loped fo far as may be found necefTary to form the 
bank. I by no means advife that any fluff mould be 
collected from behind the wall, to affift the forming 
of the bank, where there might be any hazard of in- 
juring the foil when intended to be planted, or that it 
had been already planted, which here is almofl univer- 
fally the cafe as far as this kind of fence is completed, 
or where it is intended to be introduced. 

At Rafh the planting has gone on fo rapidly, and 
particularly on the weft and north-weft afpecls, where 
the Louth fences are principally adopted, that to wait 
for the completion of them would keep the planta- 
tions back, and retard their progrefs. Common ditches 
were therefore adopted and introduced, exactly in the 
direction in which the Louth fences were to run. In 
this cafe the only object was to form a ftout bank, with 
an off-fet, and quicked as formerly defcribed, without 
fetting any regard to the depth or form of the gripe, 
the depth of which feldom exceeds three feet; the 
reafon of which mail prefently appear from the fol- 
lowing fketch. 



^Surface 




jSurfa 



c ... >3unaee 



The 



1 6 APPENDIX. 

The folid, a,£,f, is made ufe of for the back d, or 
as much fluff as may be necefTary may be procured to- 
wards e ; f, (tones or brufh-wood to fave the quicks g 7 
and prevent cattle from creeping up on the face of the 
ditch. 

After fome time, when leifure ferves to build the 
Louth fence, the folid lump h> is cut away, which ad- 
mits of a fure and folid foundation for the flone-work. 
But, the feafon before this operation is to take place, 
in cafe the quicks mould have got too ftrong, it is ne- 
cefTary to cut them quite clofe, in order to have a 
young growth, capable of being bent down in a hori- 
zontal direction, to comply with the ftone-work. But 
when the ftone-work reaches within about three inches 
of the quick, a thin fod mould be laid on the ftones ; 
the fame precaution mould be ufed over the quick, 
which prevents it from being cut or galded by the 
flones either above or below, which would foon be the 
cafe without taking this remedy. I fhould have re- 
marked this precaution before, in building thefe fences, 
where temporary ditches are not in queftiou ; but it 
would naturally occur to any intelligent perfon, who 
has feen any fences faced with (tone, where the quicks 
are perpetually breaking off for want of a free circula- 
tion of the fap. . 

For my own part, I am a great advocate for this 
kind of fence, as an outward boundary to a demefne. 
£ven without being quicked, it is proof againft man 

or 



APPENDIX. 17 

or bead, and is certainly lefs fubject to decay than a 
wall built of lime and ftone. 

Befides its cheapnefe and fimplicity, there is another 
object, fufficient to recommend it. The beauties of 
plantations and drefTed grounds are, in a great mea- 
fure, loft to the fpectator from the outfide of a de- 
mefne, by a continued dreary wall, which never fails 
to tire the imagination, and offend the eye ; the Louth 
fence may be occafionally kept low, fo as in fome mea- 
fure to partake of a funk fence ; and, if quicking the 
face be adopted, which I by no means infill upon, the 
quicks are eafily kept down to the level of the wall. 

3. Sunk fence, — Situated as the demefne is, this kind 
of fence was obliged to be adopted, and that upon an 
extenfive fcale. A public road of great refort accom- 
panies the demefne for upwards of two miles, which, 
being common to feveral of the approaches, and being 
fortunately placed fo as to give no offence, or in any 
part of it to appear a nuifance, was of courfe con- 
tinued, and widened from the original breadth to that 
of fixty feet; or at leaft it is now fo far advanced, that 
little remains to complete it. 

As the demefne lies on either fides of this general 
approach, and the views to the grounds, the river, 
and the plantations, with many other interefting ob- 
jects, are fo numerous and exquifite, that it was judged 
unpardonable to conceal any object, that could be 
(hewn to advantage, funk fences, therefore, were 
0^2 adopted, 



1 8 APPENDIX. 

adopted, and have been already carried on to a con- 
fiderable extent, and are at prefent in a progreflive 
ftate. 

Hitherto the expence of the funk fence was found 
to be nearly the fame, by the running perch, as that of 
the Louth fence, namely, about 16/., divided as follows; 
4/. for the excavation, 10/. for (tone-work, which in- 
cludes quarrying, drawing, and building, and 2/. for 
flop'yyr, drefling, and fodding. 

In feveral parts, fmall bogs and quick-fands oc- 
curred. In fuch places, great precaution was neceflary 
to fecure the foundation, which was done by bedding 
firong hurdles, made principally of oak, under the 
ftones; the hurdles are commonly four feet broad, 
and the centre of the wall is always placed on the cen- 
tre of the hurdle. The largeft ftones are made choice 
of for the foundations, both for this and the Louth 
fence, and more particularly fo in foft foils, or where 
there is any hazard of one part fubfiding more than 
another. Another precaution was found neceflary, 
both in cafes of Louth and funk fences, namely, two 
feafons are allowed to finifh the itone-work, where 
the foundations are not good, or appear doubtful. The 
wall is generally raifed three or four feet high the 
firft feafon, and the year following ^s finifhed off. It 
was alfo found neceflary to leave a fmall fpace un- 
built, at the junction of the firm and boggy foils, as 
the wail, when built on the latter, was always found 

to 



APPENDIX. 19 

to fubfide confiderably, and, of courfe, drag the work 
on the hard ground with it, without being thus guard- 
ed. When the fettlements are found to have ceafed, 
then thofe opens may be filled up, but not till then. 

The reducement, or batter to the front, is the fame 
as that allowed to the Louth fence, and the back of the 
wall is kept perpendicular, or rather inclining a little 
from the perpendicular towards the centre, as formerly 
remarked in the Louth fence. Workmen mould be 
narrowly watched with refpect to this part of the 
work ; they think, when a fair regular feclion is made 
in the bank a confiderable way, that it may be fully 
fufficient to guide them ; and that, if the ftone-work 
mould even lean a little towards the bank, fo as to pafs 
the perpendicular, no material accident would take 
place ; I know, however, from experience, that, in the 
hardeft and firmeft foil, this practice cannot be de- 
pended upon ; fo that the gauge and plummet muft be 
always attended to. 

So much for funk fences in point of ornament ; or 
rather (here), as to their admitting to view innumerable 
ornamental objects, which, by adopting any other mode 
of fence, would be for ever loft, at leaft in fomc 
meafure. 

In the inclined, plane, this fence differs fomewhat 
from the common funk fence, by which means it is 
found more difficult to afcend, which is the great point 
to guard againft. 

The 



20 



APPENDIX. 




The flope of the common funk fence is ufually made 
according to the dotted line, a, b. It is plain, that a 
perfon has more power to get over the fence from the 
plane, a, c, than from any part between c, and d\ be- 
caufe, in the firft inflance, the perfon would naturally 
take advantage of fome part between a, and c, to ftep 
from ; but any part of the fpace between c> and d> is 
too remote from the wall to extend the legs. 

There are a great many funk fences of fmaller dimen- 
fions, to turn cattle only, already completed through- 
out the demefne ; fome in aft of making, and others 
in contemplation. No ground can be better difpofed, 
to favour funk fences, than thofe of Lord Mountjoy's 
demefne. With other early regulations, thofe of funk 
fences, to divide the grounds, both for profit and 
beauty, were not forgotten. All this was found ne- 
cefTary, previous to determining the various interior 
plantations, as, by fo doing, fome expence might be 
faved, in curtailing the length of the line of the funk 
fence, by projecting or making ftrong prominences in 
the line of planting, without in the leaft infringing on 

the line of beauty. 

To 



APPENDIX. 



21 



To divide the whole of the drefTed grounds of the 
demefne, will require near one thoufand running 
perches of funk fence, at 12/. a perch. What has 
been completed cofl about that fum. The general 
dimenfions are ; height of wall, fix feet and a half; 
extent of excavation, from ten to twelve feet. 

Here it is a very pleafing circumflance, that in all 
this great fcene of drefTed grounds, when completed, 
and divided by funk fences, not a fmgle bridge, or 
other contrivance, to lead fro^ one divifion to another, 
will be found neceffary, fo as to crofs the fence. Each, 
extremity of every funk fence has fallen* or is intended 
to fall, in with fome plantation ; fo that the communi- 
cation, from one divifion to another, is carved out 
through the plantation, in a curvilinear manner, fo as to 
conceal the gate, which is always placed at the molt 
prominent point of the curve. 




Stalk Feiuee 




a, The gate, made in the moft fimple manner, of a 
few afh rungs, not much ftronger conftrucled than a 
iheep-hurdle, but made fo wide, as to admit of a load 

of 



22 APPENDIX. 

of hay or corn. Sometimes advantage is taken of fome 
tree to hang the gate to, and it not unfrequently hap- 
pens, that another tree may correfpond to (hut it to; 
and there have been inftances of trees falling in to an- 
fwer for heel-pofts for the gate. 

4. Drains as Fences in boggy and fwampy foliations, — 
Where it may be neceflary to introduce fences of this 
defcription, they mult be done with patience and cau- 
tion, as, if performed the firft feafon, they feldom fuc- 
cedd, being fubjecl: to flip and give way at the fides, 
and to fwell upwards at bottom. 

The ufual mode here is to fink them about two feet 
and a half the firft feafon, which is moil commonly 
done in fummer weather. The weight of the fluff, 
thrown out of the drain, ferves to prefs out the water 
of the fpace under it, and thus by degrees it becomes 
folid. In many cafes three feafons are found necefTary 
to accomphfh this bufinefs. 

Thofe fences are generally made double, forming 
between a fpacious bank thus. 



$iixfice 8Jit ^ ^^^^~^ ^^^^^^^*^J^^^F.i*^S 




By thus intercepting the water on both fides of the 
bank, it in fome time becomes folid, and fit to nourifh 

^ trees, 



APPENDIX. ^3 

trees, chiefly alder, birch, mountain afh, and woolly- 
poplar, all of which are extremely .ufeful for the 
country. 

Not more than from a foot to eighteen inches in 
depth mould be caft on the furface of the bank ; in 
cafe it be a fpongy red bog, more would render the 
whole a caput mortuum. Befides the ufe of the ihifF 
call: on the bank, for the purpofe of prefling out the 
water, it alfo ferves to rot the furface, and render it 
more capable of nourifhing trees, than it would other- 
wife do, and to render the whole more fertile ; all the 
furfaces are made to meet, that is, the furface of the 
bank, and thofe of the drains. 

By computing the area of the drains, and the foli- 
dity of the bank, or the fluff caft up, it would appear, 
that, at eighteen inches deep, the latter would only be 
equal to about one-half of the former ; experience, 
however, proves the contrary ; fo fubjecl: is all fpon- 
gy bog to be reduced, when diverted of the fluid, 
which, for the greater part, compofes it. 

The reader will pleafe to obferve, that the inner 
fides of the drains are more floped than the outfide 
ones ; the reafon is obvious, as they have a greater 
weight to fuftain. 

Two millings a perch is the ufual price allowed for 
the large drain, and eight-pence for the fmall one. 

Furze has been found to fucceed in thofe banks, 

when they become fufficiently dry, but rooted plants 

^ anfwer 



24 APPENDIX. 

anfwer better than the fowing of the feed. Thofe of two 
years old are always to be had in great plenty from the 
backs of new ditches, where they are moft commonly 
too thick. Furze, in fuch fituations, not only ferves 
the pnrpofe of fhelter, but alfo has a great power of 
abforbing the crude juices. 

It is fcarcely necefTary here to mention the preparation 
of the foils infide of thofe banks for planting, as that 
does not belong to the prefent fubject, and ihall be 
taken notice of in its proper place. I fhall only re- 
mark, that the interior parts are carved out into a 
number of quarters by drains, the fluff taken out of 
which is always cafl on the furface, for the purpofe of 
rolling it, as in the former cafe, but not near that 
depth, perhaps not more than three or four inches, as 
the cafe may require. 

It is, however, of the utmoft confequence to the 
future profperity of the whole of the interior planting, 
to fet about early and vigoroufly with the fences, and 
outfide planting, which here I fhall call a belt or 
fcreen, to fecure and bring forward the other parts. 

5. Living Fences without a gripe or trench, — By living 
fences I mean fuch as form a fence at once, planted 
on the furface, which are principally adopted in the 
beft finifhed parts of the demefne, or in fituations, 
which may forbid common ditches, or any fpecies of 
clumfy fence. At Rafh thefe are numerous at prefent, 
and are intended to be carried on to great extent. 

For 



APPENDIX. 25 

i 

For this purpofe the common white-thorn is chiefly 

preferred, of which regular nurferies are every year 
formed, fo as to have always a fucceflion, as the de- 
mand is conflant. Here it is common to plant two 
fucceeding crops of potatoes, after forming a planta- 
tion ; this is generally performed by labourers, and for 
their own ufe, in fituations convenient to them. After 
this treatment, the foil mull be in fine order. The 
fecond crop of potatoes is generally drilled. The 
flrongefl two-year-old quicks are made choice of, and 
put out in lines at about four feet apart, in a meander- 
ing manner, to avoid the trees. Here the plants com- 
monly remain three or four feafons, but the firft, and 
fometimes the fecond crops of potatoes or cabbages are 
planted in the intervals, which is always in favour of 
the quicks, and alfo of the plantations. By the time 
the plants have flood three or four years in the nur- 
fery, they are generally four feet high, which is about 
the height wifhed for. Hence it is plain, that little or 
no expence attends this practice, as the labourers ma- 
nage it, on account of the crops. A few {haggling 
flioots annually clipped off, to give the hedge a taper 
habit, is the only expence, from the time of planting 
the nurfery, to that of the hedge. 

One thoufand quicks will go over fifteen perches, 
and, at that diftance, will form a very clofe hedge. 

One 



26 APPENDIX. 

£. s. d. 

One thoufand quicks I fet down at - - o 3 3 
Digging and preparing fifteen perches of 

a trench, - - - - -026 

Raifing, carriage, and planting, - -034 
The value of the feed, and trouble in fe- 

minary, planting, nurfery, &c, - -026 



£-° II 7 

This mews at a view, which I am fure I have over- 
rated, that fifteen perches of a complete fence may be 
had at once for 1 is. *]d. 

This fyftem, once ©ftablifhed, and regularly kept up, 
is well known to have cheapened the article fences to a 
great degree. 

Honeyfuckle and fweet-briar are always mixed with 
thefe hedges -, a circumftance not fo eafily complied 
with in making common ditches. 

But here there is another refource for forming 
hedges of this defcription in a more expeditious man- 
ner, but not altogether fo cheap. 

In going over extenfive chains of plantations, it 
often happens, that the whole of any particular chain, 
or firing, could not be completed in one feafon, nor 
perhaps in two or three feafons ; in fuch cafes, to fe-r 
cure every feafon's planting, crofs fences were neceC- 
fary to introduce, though for only temporary purpofes. 
All fuch fences were planted with quicks, the fame as 
the permanent fences, with this difference, that no 

ftones 



APPENDIX. 



27 



(tones were introduced at bottom. The object, in in- 
troducing quicks in thofe temporary fences, was, in. 
order to have them ready trained, and fafhioned for 
hedges in the courfe of a few years, when the ufe of 
fuch fences became unneceflary. The fact is, that 
hedges, thus raifed, anfwered the fame end as if they 
had been raifed in a regular nurfery, and at fomewhat 
lefs expenfe. 

But, in order to eftablifh the roots equal to thofe, 
raifed in a regular nurfery, the backs of the ditches 
are in fome meafure cut away, fo as to be able to get 
at the roots of the quicks, which are cut with a {harp 
inftrument within about a foot of the ftem, and then 
two or three inches of frefh mould are put over the 
roots, which caufes them to throw out a great num- 
ber of additional fibres. In this flate the plants re- 
main for two feafons, by which time they are gene- 
rally furnifhed with roots and fibres in as great per- 
fection as they could have been in the beft managed 
nurfery. 

In fome inftances, where the foil is dry, and fhek 
ter is not eflential, the ditches are levelled at once, 
and the roots cut and prepared as above ftated ; but, 
without thofe advantages, the firft method is always 
pradtifed, fince the part of the bank, left unlevelled, 
affords fome fhelter, and, by leaving the gripe open, 
keeps the foil in the ufual medium of drynefs. 

In 



28 APPENDIX. 

In order to iecure ftrong and durable hedges, to 
form fences at once, another expedient has been often 
pracYifed with fuccefs. The demefne originally abound- 
ed with fmall farms, many of which were well planted 
with white-thorn and fome timber-trees, and, very for- 
tunately, almoft all the ditches were either curved, or 
otherwife meandered, fo as feldom to appear ftiffor 
formal. In levelling thofe ditches, many of the 
timber-trees and old thorns were of courfe fufFered to 
remain. Indeed the whole of the latter was left un- 
difturbed at the time of levelling the ditches, and their 
roots prepared by fhortening them, and ufing a large 
portion of rich foil to excite plenty of new fibres. 

Such thorns, as were judged proper objefts to 
Hand for lawn plants, were not touched or doclored* 
at the roots; the tops were only lightened, and fo 
famioned, as to give them a propenfity to fpread, 
which requires both flail and pains, and a little pa- 
tience. But fuch thorns, as were intended to form 
new hedges, were cut down within three feet of the 
furface, and, in two feafons after, were formed into 
hedges, with as much fafety as plants of four or five 
years of age regularly raifed in a nurfery. Hedges, 
of forty years Handing, have been thus managed here 
with the greateft fuccefs. 

But 

* A phrafe of the writer, which he wiflies to have un- 
derftood generally in preparing large plants for ornament. 



APPENDIX. 2? 

But thorns, thus prepared, anfwered here another 
material end, namely, the fecuring of fcattered, group- 
ing, or detached trees from cattle. Upon a large fcale, 
there would be no end to the expence and repairs of 
common paling, and, even when done in the beft man- 
ner, it carries with it a ftifTnefs and famenefs, that never 
fail to give offence. Either black or white thorn re- 
moves every inconveniency of this nature; and this 
fcene is furtner embellifhed by planting with the thorns 
honeyfuckle and fweet-briar, a mode generally purfued 
in forming hedges of every defcription, and efpecially 
near places of refort. 

The fame confideration, of doBoring thorns, natu- 
rally led to another \ it was foon found out, that every 
kind of foreft-tree, with care, was capable of being 
treated in the fame manner ; fo that here that fyflem 
was put in practice fourteen or fifteen years ago, and 
has been fmce carried on, more or lefs, every year, ac- 
cording to the number, that may be neceffary to keep 
up a fucceffion, or rather to be in readinefs as the 
grounds are laid down. 

The method, principally adopted of late years, is, to 
leave a fufficiency of ornamental plants in nurferies at 
the feafon of thinning them. When left about fix or 
eight feet fquare, crops of potatoes are occafionally in- 
troduced, th£ neceffary preparation for which fuffi- 
ciently prepares the roots of the trees for the forego- 
ing 



3 o APPENDIX. 

ing purpofe. This fyftem, for many reafons, is better 
than the former. 

The method firft purfued was, to felett fuch plants, 
as were deemed proper objects for ornamental plant- 
ing, through the plantations, that had been formed 
fome years before. Oak, fycamore, wytch elm, beech, 
lime, and wood-maple, are generally made choice of; 
the height commonly from eight to twelve feet. At 
the time of doEloring or managing the root, the head 
is alfo attended to, by fhortening, if neceflary, and 
cutting away aukward branches, and alfo giving room, 
fo as to enable the plant to fpread before it be put out 
for good. But here it is necefTary to remark, that 
neither the prepared thorns, nor the trees to be protect- 
ed by them, mould by any means remain longer than 
two feafons between the time of dotloring> and that of 
planting out ; otherwife a fecond operation will be 
found necefTary, which, of all things, mould be 
avoided. 

For a tree of the foregoing fize, with five or fix 
flout thorns to protect it, a hole of eight feet in dia- 
meter is generally allowed, more or lefs, according to 
the fize of the roots. Old doctored thorns generally 
carry bulky roots, on which account the hole requires 
to be large; indeed the holes cannot be too large. 
When the foil is poor, two or three carts of good 
earth are introduced. Planting, according to this 
mode, almoft univerfally requires additional foil. 

In 



APPENDIX. 31 

In countries where thorn-quicks are fcarce, which is 
always the cafe throughout this county, much might 
be made by attending to the fuckers produced from 
the roots cut off, in flubbing and levelling ditches. 
Thoufands of fine plants fpring forth from the roots 
left, and thofe are always produced near where the 
incifion was made, or where they have been maimed. 
The more the roots are cut and mangled, the more 
abundant will be the crop of young thorns. If the 
roots are cut into lengths of a few inches, and covered 
with two or three inches of good foil, in a bed or drill, 
they will produce fine plants ; but this is not peculiar 
to the white-thorn. 

To thofe of extenfive experience in country bufinefs, 
the foregoing hint may be deemed unnecefTary; but, 
to this county in particular, it may be of fome ufe. 
Five hundred plants, thus raifed, will reach further in 
a ditch, than one thoufand feedling plants of two years 
of age, and will make a completer fence, in a fhorter 
fpace of time. Of this particular many of Lord Mount- 
joy's tenants are thoroughly fenfible, as they would 
prefer the fuckers to the feedlings, though they mould 
be at the expence of collecting the former, while the 
latter were ready counted to their hand without any 
trouble or expence. 

6. Temporary dead fences , made principally of Scotch fjr 9 
cut away at thefize of eight or ten feet, or when it begins 
to injure plants of more value. — Very ftrong and formi- 

fc dable 



32 



APPENDIX. 



dablc fences, againft man and beaft, are made of this 
article. They are now only beginning > but, from the 
great quantity of fir and other trees that mufl necefla- 
rily be cut away, this fpecies of fence no doubt will be 
generally adopted, efpecially in backward and remote 
parts of the demefne, and in the other improvements. 

I call it a chevaux-de-frife fence ; it is made fimply 
thus. A trench, about two feet deep, and three feet 
wide, is dug out, in which the trees are placed up- 
right, generally about two feet apart, fo that when the 
branches are cut, at about the diftance of eighteen 
inches from the Item, they will crofs each other, form- 
ing alternately both acute and obtufe angles, and alfo 
projecting the horn-ivork at front and rere. The lower 
tier of horns are always let down below the furface, 
the better to ftrengthen the fence ; and, when the mould 
is put in, the whole is well rammed, in performing of 
which much pains mud be taken, left any of the horns 
mould be broken, which would ipoil all. 

The under (ketch may in fome meafure a/lift, the 
reader, in forming an idea of this lingular fpecies of 
fence. 



fe&S?. 




APPENDIX. 33 

The Scotch fir, a> is only reprefented as having the 
whole tier of branches, which, in the execution, is the 
cafe throughout. The dotted lines, b, fhew the part 
of the fir under the furface, where part of the lower 
tier is reprefented alfo below the furface, to keep it 
firm, as has been already obferved. In fome cafes the 
whole of the lower tier is below the furface, and when 
that takes place, the fir is let down to the fecond tier ; 
this is necefTary in boggy or fandy foils, which may be 
difficult to comprefs. 

In forming this kind of fence, the laft two years 
growth is cut away, being confidered too weak. In 
general, two years growth is below the furface, and 
the growth of four or five years appears above it, after 
cutting off the weak growth. 

It is fcarcely necefTary to remark, that the more luxu- 
riant the trees are, the greater the diftance they may 
be placed afunder, and vice verfa. 

In dry fituations, permanent fences of thorn, beech, 
&o, of a fmall fize, are generally placed behind this 
chevaux-de-frife work, which, in the courfe of four or 
five years, becomes fubftantial enough to guard againft 
cattle, this being about the period the temporary fence 
will laft. In moift fituations, alder and mountain-afh 
are introduced, and, after being two feafons planted, 
are formed into a kind of hoop, four feet above the 
furface, which is found to make a complete fence 
againft cattle, when the other has gone to decay. In 

r 2 many 



34 APPENDIX. 

many inftances, honeyfuckle, fweet-briar, all forts of 
common briar, dog-rofes, &c. are let in with the tem- 
porary hedge ; this contraft produces a moft ftriking 
efFecT:, and, by the time the dry hedge is decayed, 
thofe articles become a moft formidable fence. When 
this plan is adopted, which muft be always in dry foils, 
the back hedge is altogether omitted. 

On the whole, this is a very cheap fence, fmce it is 
attended with little more trouble than that of planting 
a common hedge. When hedges are to be formed 
behind, the beft way is to open the drill or trench, to 
the breadth of five feet, by which means both the dead 
and the living hedges may be carried on together, and 
thus prevent the opening of a fecond trench, which 
would only ferve to loofen the ground about the born- 
tuork,* 

The fluff, ufed in this fence, is not fufficient for ribs 
for cabins, fheep-hurdles, common paling, &o; and 
as it muft be cut away at certain periods, it would, of 
courfe, go to lofs, to prevent which, the above ufe is 
found the moft eligible. 

7. Common paling of poji and rail ', Jheep-hnr -dies , &c. — 
Except to enclofe corn and hay-ftacks, turf, &c, very 
little ufe is made of common paling: the foregoing 
fence fuperfedes it, and is performed confiderably 
cheaper ; befides, the materials, neceftary for a ftrong 
paling, are fold to the country-people, for cabin- 
building, 

* This phrafe is fometimes ufed inflead of chwaux-de-frifc. 



APPENDIX. 35 

building, to confiderable advantage to the proprietor, 
and with infinite fervice to the whole country. 

Great ufe is made here of fheep-hurdles, not only 
for folding iheep, but for many other purpofes, fuch 
as fecuring the doping parts of funk fences, which 
have been made through drefled grounds, furrounding 
old quarries and fand-pits, which require to be filled 
and dreflfed in fome time after the furrounding grounds 
have been laid down, and where the ufe of them is 
found neceflary after that operation. 

For thefe, and a hundred other purpofes, fheep- 
hurdles are ufed; they are eafily placed up, and foon 
taken down, when not wanted. Here they are made 
of oak faplings ; it would be only throwing away time 
to make them of any other young fluff, which may ne- 
cefiarily be cut down, as they would laft no length of 
time. Four fhillings a dozen is the ufual price paid 
for making them, and a dozen will extend four perches 
in length. 

Several other fpecies of fence might be mentioned, 
according to fituations and circumltances, but the fore* 
going are in moft general ufe. 



Sect. 4. Preparation of the Soils fir planting* 

Many were the expedients made ufe of, to prepare 
the foils, and promote the planting of the extenfive 

and 



3 <* APPENDIX. 

and varied improvements of Rafh. The four following 
I ihall briefly flate, being the moft general. 

I. Soils, that came within the power of the plough, 
were trenched by the Kentifti wheel-plough, drawn 
by fix bullocks in the yoke fafhion. This kind of pre- 
paration anfwered completely fo far ; but there was 
another object in view, namely, as the ploughing was 
performed deep, a vaft number of itones were dif- 
covered and procured, which otherwife would have 
been for ever loft ; by this management they ferved to 
build a great part of the Louth fence, already fpoken 
of. 

There were about fifty acres of this defcription pre- 
pared for planting. The operation, it is true, was te- 
dious ; I dare fay not more than a rood of ground 
daily was ploughed. The plough was attended by fix 
or eight able labourers, befides the ploughman and 
driver. The men were provided with long oaken 
poles, fhod with iron, which ferved as levers to turn 
out the rocks, which the plough difcovered. Crow- 
irons were ufed for raifmg the fmaller flones. AH 
flones, that appeared above the furface, were pre- 
vioufly taken up, and carried away before the plough- 
ing commenced. 

Upon the whole, this was found a cheap mode of 
procuring ftones, as the parts where they were ufed 
hy very convenient. Had the diftance exceeded a 

mile, 



APPENDIX. 37 

mile, this plan would have been given up, as ftones re- 
gularly quarried would have come cheaper. 

There is at this time a very material difference be- 
tween the growth of the trees, where the foil was thus 
treated, and in fimilar foils, which had no preparation 
at all. It is at leaft as the proportion of ten to fifteen 
in favour of the trees where the land was ploughed ; 
that Is, trees planted ten years ago, where the foil was 
prepared as above, are now (1802) fully as forward as 
plants put out fifteen years back, without any prepara- 
tion. How long this great afcendancy may continue 
to prevail, time only will tell. 

2. Large fcopes of dry, hungry, fhallow foils ; fome 
almoft covered with broom, furze, and other fponta- 
neous growths, in a ftate of nature. But the greater 
part was formerly occupied by /itt/e farmers, who knew 
that their inheritance was only to be of fhort dura- 
tion, and, of courfe, worked out the foil to the loweft 
ebb. 

To trench or plough foils of the foregoing defcrip- 
tions was thought unneceffary, as that, of courfe, 
would only render them ftill lighter, and, confe- 
quently, unfavourable to planting. 

In the firft cafe, clofets were formed through the na- 
tive brufh-wood, of different (hapes and fizes, fo as to 
contain from ten to thirty plants, more or lefs, at about 
three feet apart, and often nearer, but fcarcely ever to 
exceed that diftance. Five thoufand plants to the acre are 

not 



38 . APPENDIX. 

not uncommon in fuch fituations, where they are high, 
and much expofed to the weft, &c , which, indeed, is 
generally the cafe throughout all the elevated planta- 
tions here. In thofe high fituations, larch, beech, and 
Scotch fir are principally made choice of, and in all 
fituations oak is never omitted, though in the dry hun- 
gry ones it gets on tardily for fome years j but, through 
time, when fhelter becomes eftablifhed, and the foil 
rendered firm and compact by being at reft, it is fur- 
prifing to find how rapidly the oak will get on •, it 
feems fuddenly to appear, after a certain period, as by 
enchantment. 

The natural fhelter, afforded here, required much 
attention to make it ufeful, without becoming injurious 
to the young plants : it was neceffary to have them 
narrowly attended, and to cut away all ftraggling (hoots 
of the fpontaneous growths, that might whip, or other- 
wife injure the young plants. This work mould never 
be omitted before the commencement of the autumnal 
ftorms, at which feafon plants are apt to fuffer moft by 
the intrufion of their encroaching neighbours, which 
fhould never be fuffered to gain the afcendancy over 
the new-planted trees ; otherwise all is loft without 
redemption. 

In four or five feafons the young plantations gene- 
rally out-top the native growth j but it is neceflary for 
feme time longer to keep down the brufh-wood, for, 



APPENDIX. 39 

fo long as it finds air, it will get forward, and caufe 
the lower parts of the young plants to become naked; 
fo that the true way is never to fuffer the fpontaneous- 
plants to get a-head in the clofets ; and the margins, 
left for fhelter, may be taken away by little and little, 
as the young trees can afford. The nearer the Scotch 
fir are planted to each other, the fooner the native 
plants will difappear j but it is better economy to put 
in plenty of valuable timber at the beginning, than to 
depend wholly on Scotch fir, or any other fpecies of 
pine, except the larch, fince, in time, they make but a 
poor figure and return, in point of profit, when com- 
pared to others. 

I believe it is fcarcely necefTary to obferve, that, io 
thofe and all other expofed fituations, without plant- 
ing very young, there could be no chance of fuccefs. 
Oak, beech, birch, hornbeam, fycamore, &c. never ex- 
ceed four years, being generally two years tranfplanted. 
Scotch fir and larch are commonly put out for good at 
three years, in which cafe they are put into nurfery at 
one year old ; but this fyftem is only confined to the 
very expofed fituations. 

Now that I am treating of expofed fituations, I fhall 
mention a circumftance of fome importance, which 
occurred a few years ago, and which was the ef- 
fect of chance, rather than of premeditated fpecu- 
lation. 

Some 



4o APPENDIX. 

Some feedling-bcds of Scotch fir grew uncommonly 
thick and luxuriant the firft feafon. It was judged 
that, if let to remain two feafons in the feed-bed, 
which is the ufual time, they would be of little or no 
value. The great luxuriance was caufed by a large 
portion of turf-afhes being ufed in the compoft, a hint 
which has been fince improved upon, and found of 
infinite fervice for many kinds of feedlings. 

A number of beds were prepared to receive the 
plants, which were intended to be thinned out. The 
plants were raifed by a fmall three-pronged fork, ca- 
pable of raifing only as many plants as occupied about 
two fquare inches, perhaps from twenty to forty plants. 
In fhort, about half the plants were taken up in this 
manner, and the void fpaces immediately filled with 
good mould. Inftead of bedding out the plants, thus 
raifed, individually, they were planted out in fmaller 
clufters, from four to eight in number, more or lefs. 
Thefe clufters were placed at about nine inches apart, 
fome promifcuoufly, and fome in lines ; the latter I re- 
commend, unlefs the foil be extremely clean. 

The plan propofed was, that the plants bedded out 
•fliculd be lined out, and formed into a regular nurfery 
the year following; but behold, when that was at- 
tempted to be put in practice, the fcheme failed, for 
the roots were found to be fo matted and interwoven 
together, that any attempt to feparate them was found 
impracticable, without injuring the whole. Of courfe 

they 



APPENDIX. 41 

they were fuffered to remain for another feafon, when 
they were put out for good in clutters, without any at- 
tempt to feparate them. 

The confequence of this fpecies of planting was, that 
in three years it made a fuller figure in expofed fitua- 
tions, than planting in the common way had done in 
five feafons. In fuch fituations what we want is, to 
cover the furface as foon as poffible, and, of courfe, 
create fhelter, and for both this method is extremely 
well calculated. It is idle to imagine, that we mould 
debar ourfelves from timber in future by following 
this plan ; every experienced planter knows, that, if a 
feed-bed of any fort was fuffered to go on its own 
way, a fufficient number of plants would furvive, and 
kill all the reft ; and in the prefent inftance this is fully 
demonftrated, fince only one ftem can now be traced 
from thofe clufters, which were firft planted out here, 
being only fix years prior to the prefent year (1802).* 

Since the above difcovery, this practice has been 
continued here, but is principally confined to Scotch 
fir, that being the beft calculated for expofed fituations. 

One 

* This mode has an advantage over the common one, in- 
afmuch as the wind has little or no power of difturbing the 
plants, they being balanced from the furface for feveral years. 
The writer never experienced an inftance of any of this elujler- 
planting (a name which he has adopted) ever yielding to 
ftorms, whereas thoufands give way every feafon when put 
out in the common way, and, in high moift fituations, are per- 
petually loofening by ftorms. 



41 APPENDIX. 

One hint begets another. Every kind of underwood 
may be put out in clufters, or flrong bodies together, 
inftead of planting it fingly. Back grounds may be 
filled, in forming fhrubberies, &c. with ftrong mattes 
of lilac, laburnum, fyringa, &c; and many other ad- 
rantages may be taken, where fhrubs and underwood 
are plenty. 

I am not without fome apprehenfions, that many of 
my readers will look upon this mode to be a moft 
flovenly one, and, as it were, a wilful wafte of plants. 
So they may ; but then it mould be confidered, how 
much time is gained by this method, and how little is 
the hazard we run; befides, Scotch fir is always a 
cheap article ; ten thoufand plants may be procured 
from one pound of Iced, which in Scotland feldora 
cofts more than three millings. But to return to the 
fecond part of this fubjecl. 

On the worn-out grounds, occupied by farmers and 
labourers, there was nothing more to do than to en- 
clofe and plant; as trenching or ploughing, as has 
been obferved, would only ferve to render the foil 
lighter, which was chiefly the greatefl fault of thefe 
grounds. Here, in general, fhelter was to be created, 
which is ufually done by fowing broom and furze- 
feeds, fometimes in crooked or zig-zag lines, but moft 
commonly in patches. The latter mode in general 
fhould be preferred, as the broom particularly makes 
a confpicuous mew the fecond year, and, befides the 

ilielter 



APPENDDL 43 

fhelter it affords, gives a warmth and chearfulnefs to 
the whole during the year round. The violence of the 
winds is more completely broken by fowing in patches, 
than in lines, as the fhelter, afforded by the latter 
mode, is only partial ; the young plants are alfo more 
eafily preferved from being fwitched by the broom, ia 
cafes of patches, than in thofe of lines. 

Though heretofore the practice of fowing furze-feed 
in patches has been adopted, yet the end, for which i€ 
was intended, had not always the defired effeft. It 
never makes fo rapid a progrefs, or, at Jeaft, is lefs 
confpicuous in patches, than on the backs of ditches, 
in the fame fpace of time. On the back of a ditch it 
will make a figure, and afford fhelter the fecond fea- 
fon •, whereas, in patches, it performs little of either ia 
lefs than four years, by which time the plantation ge* 
nerally affords itfelf fufficient fhelter. The end of 
anfwering the protection of game is alfo frequently 
defeated, and efpecially where Scotch fir is thickly 
planted, which, in high fituations, is here always the 
cafe. So foon as the Scotch fir begins to meet, from 
that period there is an end to any advantage arifing 
from furze fown with a view of fhelter through plan- 
tations ; fo that, on the whole, broom mould be pre- 
ferred for temporary fhelter; but on the backs of 
ditches furze-feed fhould be always fown in preference 
to broom, on account of the great length of time it 
lafts when regularly cut. Here it is always fown 

broad-cafr 



44 APPENDIX* 

broad-caft over the whole of the back of the ditch, fo 
that one-half may be cut whilft the other part remains 
for fhelter, by which means complete fhelter is never 
wanted. In four or five years after fowing, the part 
of the furze next the thorn-quicks is commonly cut, 
which always gives the latter the afcendancy for the 
time to come. A quart of found feed is fully fufficient 
for thirty perches broad-caft, but confiderably lefs will 
anfwer, when fown in a drill. 

In this place it may not be amifs to remark, that the 
Scotch fir, ufually put out in clufters, as ftated in this 
fecYion, is molt commonly planted in grounds of the 
latter defcription, or thofe formerly occupied by far- 
mers and labourers, as not being much fubject to 
luxuriant weeds, or to fuch fpontaneous growths as 
the former. 

3. Thin, wet, fpouty foils, in general much expofed. 

To encreafe the depth of foils of this nature, and 
alfo to drain and render them wholefome, for the re- 
ception of plants, were the chief objects to attend to. 

v. 

From foils not more than three or four inches deep, 
with. a hard fubltratum, almoft impenetrable to water, 
little could be expected. Draining was found of little 
or no advantage to fuch foils; in fome meafure it 
ferved to carry off the redundancy of water, but very 
little encreafed the depth of the furface. 

Recourfe, therefore, was had to another expedient, 

which anfwered both ends, namely, draining, and 

deepening the foil. 

One- 



APPENDIX. 45 

One-third of the furface was dripped, and laid upon, 
the other two-thirds, caufing the two fwards to meet, 
the better to reduce them. This encreafed the depth 
of vegetable foil from four to fix inches, over which 
two inches more of the fubftratum was thrown up, 
which gave a depth, for planting, of eight inches. The 
Jaft covering not only encreafed the depth, but ferved 
to give weight and {lability to the whole. 

In performing this work, it was of little confequence 
whether the furrows and ridges were formed crooked 
or fhaight ; they were fometimes one way, and fome- 
times the other ; the difpofition of the ground always 
directed the courfes of the ridges ; up and down hill, 
where the land was not over fleep or fudden; but, 
where the ground tended abruptly, the direction was 
always carried obliquely to the hill, the better to pre* 
vent the foil from being warned away. 

This mode varied according to circumftances. Where 
the foil was much difpofed to moifture, the breadth of 
the furrows was three feet, and that of the ridge fix 
feet ; but, in foils more dry, the breadth of both were 
encreafed, in order to prevent the drought from taking 
place too much in the fummer feafon j a precaution 
which in many inftances was very neceiTary, as no- 
thing could be more efTential than to guard againil: 
both extremes. 

This work was always performed one year at lead 
before the planting took place, by which time the fur- 
faces 



46 APPENDIX. 

faces of both the ridges and furrows were thoroughly 
reduced, and the ft'iff foil, which was caft at top, had 
the full benefit of the winter's froft and fummer's 
fun. As this work was generally performed in autumn, 
it frequently had the advantage of two winters and 
one fummer, to ameliorate and form a good abiding 
foil, very fit for the reception of plants ; confiderably 
more fo, than had it been planted the fpring imme- 
diately after the operation. 

Here it may not be amifs to remark, that fpring- 
planting is almoft univerfally followed; experience 
having long ago pointed out, that thofe foils and af- 
pe&s are not calculated for autumnal planting. 

Ground, prepared as above, is generally managed 
for 2/. an acre ; being at the rate of 61. an acre, if the 
whole had got a thorough trenching, which practice at 
the commencement took place in raifed trenching,* as 
it is termed. It was, however, foon difcovered, that 
the raifed trenching became too dry in fummer ; nor 
was the quantity of vegetable foil, that the fituations 
afforded, applied fo effectually for the nourifhment of 
the trees, in the latter, as in the former cafe. Thefe 
confiderations, with the great difference in point of ex- 
pence, gave, of courfe, the preference to the former 
mode. 

The 

*, Raifed trenching is preferred in wet foils, and the trees 
are planted without levelling the ground, and left always in 
that ftate. 



APPENDIX. 47 

The fourth and moft univerfal fyftem of planting, in 
mountainous and expofed fituations, was purfued ac- 
cording to the following plan. 

Small ditches were made in feveral directions, fome- 
times crooked, at other times ftraigbt, but moft com- 
monly of a winding difpofition, always taking an ad- 
vantage of the fituation and expofure. There were 
three principal objects in view, namely, the draining of 
the foil ; the creating of melter ; and fecuring a fuffi- 
ciency of earth to nouriih. the trees. The more ex- 
pofed, the nearer it was neceflary to introduce the 
ditches ; but for brevity fake I mail fet down the ave- 
rage diftance at twenty-one feet apart. An acre, ac- 
cording to this diftance, contains 320 perches of 
ditch; and, by allowing fourteen trees to the perch, 
the number to the acre is found equal to 4,484 ; one 
thoufand of which, at leaft, were always oak. 

Oak, am, and fycamore, were chiefly preferred for 
the main or permanent timber ; beech was fometimes 
introduced, but this article does not bear cutting, when 
put into the faces of ditches, fo well as the foregoing. 
Inftead of planting alternately, the different kinds were 
put in, in groupes ; but I fhould have remarked before, 
that great quantities of mountain-am, alder, birch, 
poplar, &c, were introduced in ftrong bodies between 
the valuable plants, varying all the articles (except the 
oak, which was univerfal) according to the nature of 
the foil. 

s The 



* 



APPENDIX. 



The order of planting may be ca-fiiy understood from 
the following fketch of four divifions, which I fhall 
fuppofe equal to four fquare perches. 



M LI 



d 



a • 'o 



bb o ' a 



«* 



on 



g* U'6' 



Ul 1 



ed 



sc 



a 



SC 



4- I...1 | 



i ! L I 



a 



d 



-r-f- 



s 



-a 



9 a 



9, reprefents oak, two or three in a group. 

<*y • — afli, from three to fix ditto. 

s > fycamore, two or three ditto. 

It is not at all neceflary to be exact with refpeft to 
the inferior kinds planted in the intervals, as they are 

to 



APPENDIX. 49 

to be cut away when they begin to interfere with the 
others; the more that are put in, the better. Sometimes 
Spanifh chefnut and wytch elm are confidered among 
the valuable kinds, but for the former the foil muft be 
good, and naturally wholefome, which in thofe fitua- 
tions we feldom meet. Afh is always put in plenti- 
fully, becaufe it is a good article for fale whilft young. 
The general breadth of thofe fmall ditches is three feet 
and a half, and the depth from eighteen inches to two 
feet, and they are made for 4*/. a perch, being equal to 
5/. 6s. Sd. an acre. The furface of the gripe is ftripped, 
and laid under the quick, with the fward downwards; 
the remaining good foil is cafl over the fward, part 
under, and part over the quick. This might be per- 
formed in autumn, and the ditches may be finifhed in 
the courfe of the feafon. The ftronger the plants are, 
the better, as, when cut, the ftronger they will (hoot; 
I often planted them fo thick as a walking-ftick. They 
(hould be cut before they are put in, but it is neceflTary 
to go over them again, after the ditch is finimed, to 
drefs and fmooth off any wounds, that they might have 
received during the operation. The faces of thofe 
ditches are always fronting the eafl as much as pof- 
fible, in order that the bank may afford the more fhel- 
ter. The banks are always fown with brpom-feed, 
broad-caft. 

This mode may appear to be expenfive, but I mall 
prefently (hew to the contrary. 

u It 



So APPENDIX. 

It is about ten years ago fince this fyftem was nrft in- 
troduced, and fince that time there have been upwards of 
one hundred acres planted, according to it. From part 
of the early planting, one thoufand of the inferior trees 
per acre have been cut away, which fold for 8/. 6s. $d. 
for the purpofe of fhovel and fork handles, which is 
only valuing them at two-pence each, clear of all ex- 
pence, but they frequently fell confiderably higher; 
good ones fell at four-pence each. But the profit does 
not end here, as the future growth of the timber, thus 
difpofed of, will for feveral years anfwer many pur- 
pofes, fuch as turf-creels, &c, for which there is al- 
ways a great demand. But the thinning of the afh 
will, in a fhort time, bring more than double the 
above. 

It is now clearly underftood, and I am fure that I 
am under the mark, when I lay, that, in fifteen years, 
each acre will return 20/., and this by cutting away 
only fuch inferior fluff, as would, if fufrered to remain, 
ffrecoverably deftroy the principal timber, which, of 
courie, will require thinning in its turn, but not till 
confiderable profit may be made of it. 

In fhort, this is the moft profitable fyftem for moun- 
tain planting I know of; and its effects, as being pic- 
turefque, are already fully demonftrated here. Such 
planting affumes a fuller appearance in five years, than 
:my other fpecies of planting, in fimilar foils and fitua- 
tions, would have done in feveu or eight years. 

A* 



APPENDIX. ji 

At the time this practice was begun, the idea of 
planting the clofets or intervals was out of the quef. 
tion, the foil in general being fo wretchedly bad 5 but 
two or three years made a wonderful alteration in it 
for the better ; and every year, in proportion as the 
fhelter is encreafing, and the drainage effected by the 
fmall ditches operating, the foil is becoming better and 
better ; fo that thofe clofets are filled up from time to 
time with more valuable timber, fuch as larch and 
beech, and fometimes Scotch fir, to enliven the fcene, 
and afford fome variety for a few years. 

It would be an endlefs performance to enumerate 
the different fecondary modes of planting made ufe of 
here, as many of them differ very little from fuch as 
are pracYifed in other parts. My chief object was to 
point out fome of the moft difficult undertakings, in 
order to fhew what induftry and perfeverance may ac- 
complish, and that in a few years. But before I take 
leave of this fubjecl, I beg leave to lay before the 
reader the method followed with refpcfr to an oak 
wood, which had been partly on the decline, and, of 
courfe, was cut down ibme years agq. 



Sect*' 



52 APPENDIX. 



$ECT. 5. An account of the management of an Oak wood, 
which had been for many years on the decline, prior to 
the year 1792, at ivhich period the following fcheme 
was commenced. 

Between ninety and a hundred acres of ftraggling 
oak woods about ten years ago exhibited a miferable 
picture, being by far the greater part fo far decayed, 
that the bark could not be flapped off in fummer at 
the ufual time of cutting down oak; fo that it was a 
matter of indifference what feafon the trees were cut 
down at, fince no profit of any account refulted from 
the bark. 

There were various opinions and conjectures, pre- 
vious to the cutting dawn; it was almoft univerfally 
agreedj, that, fince the oak had given up, no new fpe- 
ties would fucceed, the foil being fo dry and exhaufled, 
and thai it was better to let the oak continue in the 
flate it was, to linger out its exigence. Thefe futile 
advices were laid aiide, from the well known laws of 
nature, as it is a fact, that requires but little demon- 
ft ration to prove, that every plant is capable of fearch- 
ing for juices moil: congenial to its own fupport. It is 
a very weak argument to advance, that, becaufe the 
u<;k declined, other plants fliould not fucceed ; the 
former had abibrbed all the nourifhment from the 

foil, 



APPENDIX. 53 

foil, that was congenial to itfelf, but left ample allow- 
ance of other juices fuited to different kinds of foreft- 
trees, which, fince the above period, is fully evinced^ 
from the rapid growth and vigour of every article put 
out. 

As the fituation was very much expofed to the weft, 
fhelter was a great object ; on that account all the 
under-growth was preferved, which confifted chiefly 
of heath and whortle-berry ; but thefe articles being of 
a very humble growth, and only occurring partially, 
recourfe was had to another expedient to raife fhelter, 
which was, not to plant for two feafons after the oak 
had been cut down ; that is, that there fhould be two 
years growth of the fuckers produced from the ftools 
of the oak fo cut, which, in general, afforded fufficient 
(belter. 

Larch, beech, and Scotch fir, were the chief articles 
put out, as the foil is of a dry hard nature *, but at pre- 
fent a great number of the latter are cutting away 
from the earlieft planting, to give room to the larch 
and beech, which are going on moit vigoroufly. In- 
deed, contrary to expectation, many of the oak, cut 
down, are out-topping every other kind ; thefe, of 
courfe, are encouraged, and fuffered to enjoy their 
birth-right. 

From a defire of not making thofe tracts too naked 
of a fudden, at the time of the general cutting, many 
trees were fuffered to remain, where there was any 

appearance 



54 APPENDIX. 

appearance of health ; but fince, this practice has been 
found not to anfwer fully the end it was intended for ; 
the trees fo left made but very little progrefs, and the 
early planting, even in the fpace of ten years, has al- 
ready overwhelmed them ; and now, when it is abfo- 
lutely neceiTary to cut them down, there is a great dif- 
ficulty in getting them through the young plantations ; 
ib that, on the whole, it is much better to cut down all 
the oak fmack-fmooth the firft day (which mode is put 
in practice here of late years), unlefs fome particular 
reafons demand the contrary. 

The holes were always made immediately before the 
planting took place, as the foil was fo fcanty, that, by 
making them any length of time prior to the planting, 
it would be found much reduced by the weather, and, 
from its nature, would receive but little benefit from 
the influence of froft. Indeed, of late years, the mode, 
that is ufually followed in fuch fituations, is, to have 
two men making the hole, chopping the whole of its 
contents within itfelf ; two more follow planting, and 
fcooping the mould towards the edge of the hole, fo as 
to leave a fufflcient cavity to receive the roots of the 
plant. By this means, not a particle of the mould 
efcapes through the heath and other fpontaneous 
growths. The furface and under-ftratum of the holes 
are incorporated together j and, if the feafon mould 
prove very dry, the furface of the hole is mulched 

with 



APPENDIX. 55 

with mofs, which is always found in great plenty upon 
the fpot. 

It is needlefs to obferve here, that planting very 
young mult be preferred; and that clofe attention muft 
be paid for a few years to the plants, till they get the 
afcendancy of the native growth ; fpring planting is 
alfo found to fucceed befl. 

Perhaps in this place it may be acceptable, to relate 
a circumflance relative to the application of lime on the 
flumps of oak-trees, immediately after being cut down. 

Since the year 1794, the following practice has been 
invariably attended to with fuccefs, fo far as time has 
proved the refult. I mall only mention one fubjecl, 
which may ferve for the reft. 

In fpring 1794, a ftool, or group of oak, confifting 
of five ftems, all of which were Co far decayed, that 
there was no chance of the bark Gripping, had they 
been left uncut till fummer, at the ufual time of taking 
off the bark, were cut quite clofe to the furfuce, 
or fo near it as the old flock could bear the operation. 
One gallon of lime, quite frefh (being a few minutes 
before flacked), was ufed for the five trees •, it was 
fcattered over the furface of the flumps, and a few 
inches round their edges ; the whole was immediately 
covered over with fods, keeping the fward part upper-* 
moft. 

The fhoots, which were produced the fummer fol- 
lowing, were the moft vigorous I ever faw, even from 

flocks 



$* APPENDIX. 

flocks in full vigour and prime of life. Nor were they 
produced about the edge of the flump, as is ufual in 
common cafes, but at fome diflance from it. The 
ihoots alfo were produced confiderably fewer where 
the lime had been ufed, than where it had not, and, of 
courfe, they grew more vigoroufly. 

It appears from this experiment, that the fmall por- 
tion of fap, which remained in the roots and flock, 
was effectually feared up, and prevented from being 
exhaled at the natural time of flowing; as from the 
moiflure the lime foon became incrufled, and a£led as 
a kind of cement, and, of courfe, prevented fuckers or 
young fhoots from being produced, at or near the 
edges of the flumps, which is moll common, as aW 
ready obferved. 

I mention this for the information of thofe, who may 
be concerned in the management of decayed woods ; a 
circumflance, which has been fairly proved very well 
worth attending to. The five flems only took one gal- 
lon of lime ; a barrel of forty-two gallons (the fland- 
ard) would go over, by this proportion, 210 trees ; an 
allowance of timber in mod cafes fufficient for a plan- 
tation acre. 

Mofs, or any other moifl covering* that may not be 
blown off by the wind, will anfwer as well as fods ; 
and, if none are convenient, any mould will do ; but, 
at all events, the lime mull be covered, and kept fo. 

Sect.- 



APPENDIX. 57 



Sect. 6. Of the advantage of /owing potatoes, as a pre~ 
parative to ajfift the fpeedy growth of Plantations , and 
a/foffor the moft effectual mode of laying down bad lands 
to the great eft p erf e Elian. 

Bringing in land by lowing potatoes thereon, has 
been purfued here for many years back, with great ad- 
vantage and benefit, both to the proprietor, and to the 
individuals who derive under him. 

Within the laft fifteen or fixteen years, prior to 
1802, upwards of 150 acres have been fown with 
potatoes, chiefly by the labourers of the demefne ; per- 
haps fifty of the above number of acres were planted, 
and the remainder laid down. 

In the former cafe it is ufual to plant firft, and to 
fow potatoes immediately after, the fame year, in order 
that the trees may gain time. The firft feafon, it rarely 
happens that the foils are fufficiently loofe and me- 
liorated, to admit of fetting the potatoes in drills; 
therefore the common bed-fafhion is adopted ; but, ifl- 
ftead of making the furrows ftraight, they are fre- 
quently curved, fo as to avoid the trees, and that they 
may always be fecured within the ridge,, the better to 
have the full benefit of the moifture, and reap every 
poflible advantage from the good foil. 

Ill 



58 APPENDIX. 

In this place it is rather unneceflfary to remark, that 
the plants mull be of a tolerable fize at the time of 
planting them out, otherwife the potatoe-flalks would 
overwhelm them. I (hall only obferve, that the trees, 
when put out, are not lefs than three feet in height, 
and that very few of the pine kind are planted in thofe 
cafes, except larch, which is not fo fubject to fufFer in 
the foliage as the other fpecies are. 

The fecond, and fometimes the third and fourth 
years, it is ufual to drill out potatoes, in the fame foil 
where they have been bedded or ridged out the firfl 
feafon ; nor is it uncommon to have a crop of turnips 
the lafl feafon, which generally fucceeds very well. 

It is needlefs to remark how rapidly plantations, 
thus managed, get on ; but this fyilem mufl be con- 
fined to particular fituations ; in expofed ones it can- 
not be put into practice, as, by keeping the foil loofe 
for fuch a length of time, it could not be friendly to 
young plantations, from what they mufl fuffer by 
ftorms. In flrong abiding foils, not much expofed, this 
mode can only be introduced to advantage. 

In the fecond cafe, or that of preparing land for lay- 
ing down by fowing potatoes, experience has fully 
evinced the great advantage of it in this demefne, and 
efpecially on coarfe, boggy, and marfhy foils, where 
this mode of preparing them for laying down is gene- 
rally aod fuccefsfully followed. 

The 



APPENDIX. s? 

The ufual mode is this. After the fuperabundant water 
and fprings (if any) are cut off, a certain portion of the 
furface is burned, to aflift in the manuring for pota- 
toes; indeed very often the crop entirely depends upon 
the quantity of afhes fo procured, without any afliftance 
from other manures, and generally very plentiful crops 
are produced the firft feafon. Two fucceeding crops 
of potatoes are always taken off; the fecond crop is 
generally drilled, and, of courfe, a fmall portion of ma- 
nure ferves ; but this manure is commonly compofed 
of rich mould and dung ; afhes being feldom ufed the 
fecond feafon, and efpecially where they have been 
ufed the preceding year, as it is well known they are 
too exhaufting upon foils, if copioufly applied, from 
the great propenfity they have of abforbing the native 
oil from the foil. 

Oats is the ufual crop to lay down with, with plenty 
of hay-feeds, chiefly of the white meadow kinds, which 
are found to thrive belt, and laft longeft, in mofl of 
thofe foils. 

For the firfr. crop of potatoes the labourers are not 
charged, but for the fecond crop they pay at the rate 
of forty (hillings an acre. The crop of oats the third 
year is worth 4/. an acre, clear of all expence ; fo that 
this brings a yearly profit to the proprietor, during the 
operation, of thirty (hillings annually, allowing an an- 
nual rent of ten (hillings an acre for the original value 
of the land, had it not been brought into a courfe of 

culture 



60 APPENDIX. 

culture at all, which, indeed, is rather highly rated. 
Lauds of this defcription, after being laid down, let 
from two to four guineas an acre for meadow. 

In neighbourhoods thickly inhabited, as this is, there 
can be no doubt of being able to procure people fuffi- 
ciently numerous to fow potatoes every feafon upon a 
large fcale ; and had this mode been adopted twenty 
years ago, about the time of the commencement of lay- 
ing down the grounds, many pounds would have been 
faved to Lord Mountjoy. 

In lands of the foregoing defcription, this mode is 
the cheapeft, and moft effectual to bring them into a 
profitable ftate. Even in the very beft foils, I am con- 
fident that the taking off two fuccei!ive crops of pota- 
toes will always be found the beft economy, both for 
the proprietor, and the community at large. If this 
fyftem was fully and univerfally eftablifhed, there could 
fcarcely be any danger of the poor fuffering, or expe- 
riencing the like diftrefs they underwent in the years 
1800, and 1 801; nor could the country be overlooked 
with potatoes at any time, if the feeding of cattle with 
them were more univerfally adopted. If the poor man 
had fix or eight barrels of potatoes to fpare, from the 
flock generally allowed for his family, how better 
could they be applied, than for the fupport of his cow, 
and efpecially in thofe parts, where fodder is moft 
commonly very fcarce ? 

Sect. 



APPENDIX. 61 



Sect. 7. A defcription of the management of the banks of 
the river at Ra/h, fo far as it accompanies the demefne y 
an extent^ including all its windings , of nearly tw§ miles 
and a half. 

Several years ago this weighty bufinefs was under- 
taken ; as is was forefeen that, unlefs the impediments, 
which obftru&ed the regular courfe of the water, were 
removed, the beauty of the river would be in a great 
meafure loft, and the principal parts of the adjacent 
grounds foured, and rendered almoft ufelefs, from the 
long continuance of the back-water, which, by reafbn 
of the high banks along the river, could not efcape, or 
fall back into the bed of the river, when the water fell, 
or partly fubfided therein. 

The firft point mod neceflary to confider was, how 
to difpofe of thofe banks, or lips, to the belt advantage, 
which almoft accompanied the river through the de- 
mefne, and always near, and parallel to it. 

Where the ground happened to lie hollow, or low 
behind the ///>, there was no difficulty in difpoilng of 
the ftufF to advantage, as it was either wheeled or 
carted back, fo as to make the general fall to the river 
as abrupt as the nature of the place could admit of, in 
order to prevent the like accumulation of fand for the 
time to come. But, previous to the taking away thofe 

banks, 



62 APPENDIX. 

banks, the good foil or furface of the parts, on which 
they were intended to be laid, was taken off, and re- 
ferved for a top-dreffing for the whole, when brought 
to the intended fhape. This precaution was the more 
necefTary, fince thofe banks were principally compofed 
of barren fands, and of themfelves not capable of fup- 
porting any agreeable verdure. 

* In mofl cafes the grounds lie very flat behind the 
banks to a confiderable extent, what in thefe parts are 
termed holmy lands. Thofe fiats or holmes being na- 
turally extremely fertile, the covering of them with the 
barren banks was of courfe given up ; therefore the 
barren fluff was in general caft into the river, or 
buried infome adjacent pits or hollows. 

In order to render the foil wholefome, where the 
flats, and, in fome places, concaves prevailed, and 
efpecially when fituated at a confiderable distance from 
the river, recourfe was had to another expedient, be- 
sides that of cutting away the banks, and Hoping them 
down to the water at low-water-mark ; fince, in fuch 
cafes, the cafting of the bank, &c. could only be of ufe, 
fo far as that operation could be applied, to caufe the 
water to run off freely when the bed of the river fub- 
fided, and alfo to prevent the accumulation of the fand 
in future. 



The 



APPENDIX. 



The method is flmply thus. 




a, The loweft point of the holnfc at a confiderable 
diftance from the river, fuppofe a hundred yards. This 
point may be lower than the point b 9 in the river at 
low- water-mark j but it may be .confiderably higher 
than the point c, a confiderable way down the river, 
fuppofe three feet. Now, if the ground be excavated 
from c 9 to a, making the excavation Shallower and 
fhallower as you approach a, where it mould rife out 
to the furface, it is plain, that the whole of that quar- 
ter will be laid dry when the river falls, or arrives at 
low-water-mark. In finking about three feet at c B 
the breadth of the excavation is about twelve feet, 
and brought to a point at a. The fection of the 

part excavated will appear thus, 

which has no bad effect when 

fwarded over, nor can it be perceived without a clofe 

infpecYion, .Several of the foregoing contrivances have. 

been introduced at Rafh, none of which has been 

ever found to fail. 

t The 




<>4 APPENDIX. 

The back, or ftagnated water, is the belt guide to 
point out the courfe for introducing the excavations or 
difcharges into the river ; it has, however, been often 
found necefTary to attend to accurate levels along the 
banks : for inftance, if the fall from b, to c> was found 
inconfiderable, it might be encreafed, by letting the 
end of the excavation fall into the river at d> inftead of 
atr. 

It is plain that, when the water fubfides in the river, 
the waters of the flats and plains will fall into the ex- 
cavations, and from thence be immediately carried into 
the river, and all behind laid perfectly dry in a few 
hours, which has been invariably the cafe here for 
many years back. 

This work is always performed in the fpring feafon, 
in order that the furface may be completely fwarded 
over, before the autumnal rains fet in. With refpect 
to fwarding, or creating a new furface for thofe exca- 
vations, the beft mode by far is, to make ufe of the 
old furface ; but, inftead of laying it on in regular 
uniform fods, it mould be chopped into a number of 
fmall pieces, and firmly beaten together by the back of 
the ipade. Experience has, on many occafions here 
of making new furfaces, fhewn the fuperiority of this 
practice over all others, in point of liability and firm 
texture * but it mould be attended to early in the fea- 
fon, otherwife it cannot fucceed ; befides, the old fur- 
face goes further when thus treated. The excavations, 

above 



APPENDIX. 6 S 

above alluded to, have in general been fwarded from 
the fpace or old furface cut away, where the excava- 
tion was to be introduced; though the area of the lat- 
ter muft, of courfe, be confiderably the greateft. 

It is well underftood in this neighbourhood, that, 
fince the banks of the river have been difpofed of, and 
the excavations, &c. perfected, little or no injury has 
been fuftained, and that the good erects refulting from 
it have been experienced fo far up the river as the 
town of Omagh ; but this requires no demonftration ; 
the impediments, which were formerly the caufe of the 
contraction of the water, being removed, the lands up 
the river, for a confiderable way, muft, of courfe, 
benefit thereby, fince the water, in its progrefs thro* 
the demefne, meets no oppofition. 

Had the banks of the river, from the {tone-bridge, 
which terminates the river on the north, to New- 
town-ftewart, been low, no doubt but the adja- 
cent lands mull have fufFered by the fudden influx, 
which was occafioned by removing all impediments 
through the demefne; but they are quite the r eve rfe ; 
they are bold and permanent, and bid defiance to any 
encroachments or impreflions the water can poffibly 
make. 

The foregoing part of this work cod upwards of 

one thoufand pounds ; it was almoft all performed by 

talk or piece-work, of which regular accounts have 

been kept, as well as of all other fpecies of tafk-work, 

t 2 fines 



66 APPENDIX. 

fince the year 1 790, prior to which the various kinds 
of piece-works have not been brought under regular 
or diftincl: heads, though vaft fums had been expend- 
ed ; but the real fpirit of working by talk did not com- 
mence till about the above period. To all parties 
concerned, every day's experience fully demonftrates 
the great advantages talk-work has over common day's 
labour, which mall be fully explained in another place. 
But to return. 

Wheeling or carting from forty to fixty yards difl- 
ance ; the price by the folid yard is generally from 2d. 
to 3<7., and fo on in proportion. When the fluff was 
cafl into the river, or immediately difpofed of upon the 
fpot, the price was ufually fixed by the running perch, 
commonly from 5/. to 10s. according to the dimensions 
of the bank or lip, which in many parts exceeds fix 
feet in height above the plane or general level, the bafe 
being from fifteen to thirty feet, tapering to a point; 
but the part of the bank next the river is generally the 
mod abrupt. 

But the great expence did not end here. Vail gul- 
lies, and breaches in the edges of the river, remained 
to be fecured, many of which were of fuch magnitude, 
as to require a very firong barrier. 

Large creels or kifhes, made of oak and hazel, were 
generally made choice of; thefe were commonly fix 
feet long, four feet wide, and from three to five feet 
deep, according to circumflances ; and in many part* 

two 



APPENDIX. 67 

two creels, perhaps five feet deep each, were let 
down by a kind of lever, one placed over the other, 
both being filled with ftones after being fecurely fixed 
at front by a flrong row of oaken piles, placed within 
about a foot of each other ; the length of the piles ge- 
nerally from fix to twelve feet, and fometimes more, 
according to the depth of the water. The piles are 
bound together by ftrong hazel wattles. The bark 
was previoufly ftripped off the piles, not altogether on 
account of the profit to be made of it, but upon a pre- 
fumption that they would laft longer, which indeed 
proves the conjecture to be well founded. 

The work is completed by doping the bank down to 
the piles, taking great precaution in introducing tough 
fods, or fuch as beft agree with water, and that are 
lead fubject to be wafted by the frequent agitation of 
the waves, at or near low-water-mark ; a circumftance, 
which cannot be too well attended to, being the pre-, 
cife medium, at which the banks of rivers and lakes fuf- 
fer mod j as banks, when fecurely formed, and well 
Hoped, feldom or ever fuffer by Jlood-iu at er. The com? 
mon fedge, or reed-grafs, is admirably well calculated 
to fecure the banks ; on many parts of the banks of the 
Mourne river (which is the general name) it grows 
fpontaneoufly ; and, where it fully eftablimes itfelf, it 
generally fuperfedes all other precautions in point of 
fecurity. Here great induftry is ufed to introduce the 
reed-grafs, which has hitherto fucceeded j it is cut into 

larns 



68 APPENDIX. 

large fods in fome remote parts of the demefne, or 
wherever it can be procured, and placed behind the 
piles j and in many inflanees it is found to fucceed 
-without any further affiftance ; but this mufl be under- 
itood only of thofe parts, where the water has no power 
of making much impreffion. Many other plants are well 
adapted to fecure againft the incurfions of water, fuch 
as the flote-grafs, and the creeping bent-grafs. Rufhes 
.and fprits make a flrong and permanent fecurity to 
banks, but in a fine fcene they mould not be intro- 
duced, but, upon the other hand, mould be mofl 
induflrioufly extirpated. Fortunately the banks of 
the beautiful river, which partes through this demefne, 
are not much encumbered with any difagreeable 
plants of the native growth. Where the banks are 
principally compofed of barren fand, the largefi fpecies 
of the native colfs-foot has eflablifhed itfelf, which is a 
mofl fortunate circumftance, as the roots are fo ex- 
tremely well calculated to bind the fand, and the great 
faze of the leaves effectually conceals it in the fummer 
feafon. 

It is fcarccly neceflary in this place to remark, that 
the difpofing of the banks, and the creeling, piling, &c. 
went on at one time, fince the fecuring of the verges 
in a great meafure depended upon that mode ; for, in 
mofl cafes, had the banks or lips been firfl taken away, 
or otherwife difpofed of, in one fummer feafon, and the 
piling, Szq. introduced the fummer feafon following, 

the 



APPENDIX. 69 

the verges of the river would fufTer confiderably in the 
intervening winter. At the commencement of thofe 
operations, part of the work fufFered materially by not 
attending to the above precautions ; this difafler, how- 
ever, ferved one good end, namely, not to trull in fu- 
ture to the mercy of floods. 

It is plain, that this bufmefs altogether mud be at- 
tended with great expence. The making of the water- 
creels, at is. each, is equal to about y. 6d. a perch for 
creeling only, befides the expence of cutting and draw- 
ing the fluff. The number of piles, neceflary to fecure 
a perch in length, would fell for 8x. for cabin-building, 
&c. *, fo that, confidering the expence of drawing 
ftones, fetting the creels and piles, floping and fodding 
the banks, &c, the whole cannot be rated at lefs than 
one guinea a running perch, befides the original cod of 
difpofing of the banks. Setting the creels, driving the 
piles, and Hoping and fodding the verges, are always 
performed by day's work, as it would be found diffi- 
cult to fix a price by piece-work ; and befides, too 
much care cannot be taken in thofe operations, fo that, 
even if they could be accurately fettled by tafk-work, it 
fhould by all means be avoided, as the leafl miflake or 
hurry might be productive of a great deal of mifchief ; 
and there is never any temptation of doing any work, 
when performed by day-labour, in a flovenly or bad 
manner. Yet, notwithstanding, tafk or piece-work 
ihould always be preferred to day-labour, where there 

is 



7° APPENDIX. 

is any polfibility of fettling the price with accuracy, or 
that there be no hazard in performing the work in 
a flovenly manner, without being eafily detected. It 
requires a long and intimate acquaintance w»th country 
works, to be able accurately to invefligate the various 
prices and rates of tafk-work, which muft in a great 
meafure depend upon the rates of common day-labour, 
being the bell guide to go by. 

So much for the weighty works of the banks of the 
river, which required to be managed, as above ftated, 
in a mofl permanent manner. Thofe parts, which 
were moll likely to fuffer, were always firfl attended 
to. 

But as to fuch parts as were not fuffering materially, 
flighter materials were found fufflcient to fecure them. 
Spruce and Scotch firs, from fix to twelve feet high, 
were found to anfwer this purpofe extremely well. 
Thefe were cut down with their entire branches, and 
packed together, as clofe as they could be placed, in the 
parts of the banks difpofed to yield only flightly, or 
where flrand-like appearances were about to take 
place. In fuch cafes there is nothing more neceffary, 
than to arrefl the fands and other materials, which 
may be brought down the river by floods. 

The flrand or naked parts being judicioufly covered 
with brufh-wood of any fort (full of foliage, for the 
clofer the better), and fecurely confined, a new furface 
is foon created. A few floods are fuffkient to depofit 

plenty 



APPENDIX. 71 

plenty of fand, &c. to form the new-made foil •, after 
which there is no further trouble than that of planting 
plenty of fedge or reed-grafs, and other aquatic plants, 
which are foon formed into a firm agreeable fward. 

To enumerate the various expedients made ufe of in 
common cafes, or where great exertions were not 
found neceflary to fecure the banks, would be endlefs. 
The fimple circumftance of finding fand, and other pro- 
ductions after floods, detained on the banks by fome 
flight caufe, fuch as tufts of broom or furze, or, per- 
haps, rank grafs or weeds, was the firfl indication, 
no doubt, to adopt fimple means, which moil com- 
monly fucceed beft. 

The great fecret in this bufinefs is, to contrive 
means to collect the fand, &c. by the foliage of the 
brufh-wood, and, when fo collected, to prevent it from 
efcaping into the river at the time of the ebbing or re- 
turn of the water into its ufual channel. 

Since fo much depends upon the brufh-wood and 
branches being as rich in foliage as polfible, the fiwn- 
mer months anfwer beft for all works of this nature; 
not only on this account, but bccaufe at that feafon 
labourers make greater progrefs than at any other fea-< 
fon, fince fometimes they mufl get into the water. 

The common mode is to make a flight hedge oijlake 
and rice, along the edge of the water at low-water- 
mark •, it is of no confequence of what fpecies of wood 
the flakes are compofed, but the brufh-wood, which 

forms 



72 APPENDIX. 

forms the rice, or that part woven through the flakes, 
Ihould be very clofe ; fir-branches of any fort, broom, 
furze, or juniper, are very well calculated for this pur- 
pofe. About eighteen inches is the ufuai height of this 
fimple barrier above the furface of the water at low- 
water-mark, as its ufe is only temporary to detain the 
fand, becaufe the reed-grafs, and other water-plants 
placed behind it, foon penetrate through it, and join 
the water in the courfe of one or two feafons, and 
overwhelm the Jtake and rice altogether. 

The bare parts of the bank, behind the Jiake and rice 
hedge, are in general filled up with young trees of 
fpruce and Scotch firs (the former is the befl) of dif- 
ferent lengths *, thefe are cut down, for the purpofe of 
thinning the young plantations, with their branches 
quite entire, and placed in the breaches of the banks, 
or where the water is difpofed to make any impref- 
fions, as clofe as they can be packed together, inclining 
the tops fomewhat in the direction of the water j thefe 
are laid down, and fecured with any rough pieces of 
wood, which are in general about the thicknefs of the 
fmall part of a man's leg. In order to fecure thefe 
pieces firmly, hooked flakes are driven a confiderable 
way into the bank, fo that the hooked part of the flake 
may come in contact with the leger or rough piece, 
which binds down the brufh-wood. In fome cafes, 
where the breaches are not confiderable, fods and 
floaes are ufed to fecure the brufh-wood from being 

carried 



APPENDIX. 73 

carried away by the floods ; but this takes place only 
where brufh-wood of any fort may be thrown in indif- 
criminately, and where the action of the water is not 
fevere. 

Whatever means may be ufed in fecuring the brufh- 
wood, they are of no further ufe after two or three 
confiderable floods have taken place, as the quantity of 
fand, &c., collected by that time, is moft commonly 
fufflcient to do the bufmefs for ever after. 

Roots of aquatic plants are always fcattered plenti- 
fully on the bare parts, before the brufh-wood is laid 
on, which foon vegetate, and make their way upwards 
through the brufh-wood, and afftfl in a furprifmg man- 
ner to arrefl: the fand, &c. The common couch-grafs, 
fo deftrucYive to fome cultivated land, is found to an- 
fwer extremely well, when flrewed on the bare parts, 
before the brufh-wood be laid on ; many other plants, 
not merely aquatic, will anfwer the fame purpofe. 

Several large pits, and aukward fpots, have been 
filled from time to time, in the holmy grounds in the 
neighbourhood of the river, and made completely even 
and uniform with the circumjacent land, by Amply 
throwing in brufh-wood of any fort, covered with a 
few fods and flones, to prevent it from rifing, or being 
carried off by the floods. 

At Rafh fuch places are confidered as receptacles, 
for the purpofe of concealing the vaft quantities of 
brufh-wood, perpetually produced from the thinning 

of 



74 APPENDIX. 

of the young plantations ; and, though large quantities 
are annually difpofed of otherwife, yet a great deal of 
the moft inferior fort remains for this purpofe. When- 
ever the brufh-wood becomes a nuifance, it is difpofed 
of, as above ftated ; but the months of Auguft and Sep- 
tember are thofe preferred for filling pits or hollow 
parts, on account of the autumnal floods prevailing at, 
or ihortly after, thofe times. 



Sect. 8. An Account of Tqjk, or Piece-work, together 
with a comparifon between it and common Day Labour, 
with fome remarks en labouring Tools and Implements, 

Under the head, Wages, &c, fome remarks have 
been already made; but I could find nothing like a 
regular ftandard throughout the county,by which any 
material knowledge might be obtained, except at Rafh, 
which here I mall briefly date, and it may be de- 
pended on, as an accurate report. 

At Ram, where common labour rates at $d. a day 
the year round, a (hilling is confidered a fair allowance 
to make for tafk-work upon the average of the whole 
year. In the winter feafon a labourer generally 
makes as much by day's work as by tafk-work ; but 
in fummer there is no comparifon at all, that fea- 
fon being, fo favourable to the latter. But with 

tafk- 



APPENDIX. 75 

tafk-work the labourers are always beft pleafed, and 
it is certainly mod in favour of all concerned, fo far 
as the nature of the work will bear it to be carried on 
in that manner. 

Ditches of feven by five, that is, feven feet wide 
from the face of the bank to the verge of the gripe, 
and five feet deep perpendicularly, at from zr. to 2s. 8cl. 
the running perch of feven yards j ditches of fix by 
four, from is. 6d. to 2/.; and fo on in proportion. 
The dreffing of the backs, and fodding the tops of the 
banks, are included in the prices of all ditches. The 
above dimenfions, with refpect to the breadth, are clear 
of \he fcarcement or ofF-fet, which is commonly from 
fix to twelve inches, according to the fituation, or the 
nature of, the foil. 

Drains, in clay foils, from eighteen inches to two 
feet deep, at from 2d. to 3^. a perch ; one halfpenny a 
perch is ufually allowed for fcattering the {tuff on the 
furface, when they are intended to lie open for fome 
time. When fprings are in queflion, the prices, of 
courfe, mull: vary; for a given depth, fuppofe four 
feet, 6d. a perch is ufually allowed, and, if further 
finking be neceflary, in order to intercept the fprings, 
a fecond price is made -, for an additional foot, after 
finking four feet, 2\d. is added, 3d. for the next foot, 
and fo on in proportion, When the depth neceflary to 
fink, in order to intercept the water, cannot be afcer- 
tained at the commencement of the work, there is no 

reftraint 



76 APPENDIX. 

reftraint laid upon the labourer, with refpecT: to the 
breadth of the drain, fince it is fufficiently underftood, 
that labourers can make more progrefs when allowed 
fufficient room to work, than when confined in a nar- 
row drain ; befides, fuch drains cannot with propriety 
be finifhed off the firft feafon. Filling in ftones, in 
-drains of all defcriptions, is always done by day-work, 
a w r ork which Should never be trufted to talkers on 
any account, as one flone, aukwardly placed, might 
deftroy the whole drain. This kind of work, too, is 
always performed by fleady labourers. Bog-drains are 
generally at half the price of thofe made on firm land. 
Trenching. — Double trenching, generally practifed 
for nurfery, at from 8 d. to is. a fquare perch.* This 
kind of trenching, when performed in lea-land, is 
done by paring the fnrface about two or three inches 
deep, and turning the fward downwards, over which 
the remainder of the good foil is turned. The whole 
depth is generally from eight inches to one foot for fe- 
minary, but, when intended for nurfery, the depth is 
generally more, and, in fhallow foils, a few inches of 
the fubflratum are turned up. The ufual mode, how- 
ever, of preparing the foil for nurfery is, by fowing 
potatoes twice, which is found by far the belt, eco- 
nomy. 
i 

* Though the Cunningham or Scotch meafure is adopted 
in many parts of the county, and even in the neighbourhood 
of Ram, yet, when I fpeak of a fquare perch, I always mean 
the plantation one, or forty-nine fquare yard$. 



APPENDIX. 77 

nomy. Trenching is always performed before the 
frofts fet in, and raifed in round ridges of about three 
feet. By adopting this mode, the foil receives the full 
benefit of the frofts, and befides, flovenly or flight per- 
formances are more eafily detected, than when the 
ground is trenched in the flat or level manner. Single 
trenching, for the purpofe of levelling and fmoothing 
the furface, in laying down grounds where the plough 
cannot act, at from 36?. to 6d. a fquare perch. 

Removing earth by the folid yard, or a cube equal 
to twenty-feven folid feet. This kind of work is al- 
ways meafured, before the earth be removed, and not 
after. Wheeling, from twenty to fixty yards diftance, 
from 2 d, to 3 d. a yard. 

A great deal of boggy land has been covered or 
clayed here from time to time. A navigation wheel- 
barrow, well filled, will cover a fquare yard to the 
depth of two inches. A folid yard, in this cafe, is rated 
at eighteen barrows, at nine flide -car-loads, and at 
three wheel-car-loads. The price by the perch, or by 
the acre, is always regulated by the depth of fluff laid 
on the bog, which here is generally four inches, and 
has amounted to from 8/. to 10/. an acre, according to 
the diftance the fluff was wheeled or carted. 

It requires a great deal of addrefs and accuracy to 
prevent fraud in carrying on fuch works. The mofl 
certain mode is, firft of all to fmooth and level the bog, 
to be covered, effectually, a year or two previous to 

the 



78 APPENDIX. 

the covering ; indeed the longer the better, in order to 
give the bog time to fubfide, and to acquire a vegetable 
furface of fome fort, to prevent the hard materials 
from finking. When the bog is brought to the wifhed- 
for fhape for laying on the clay or gravel (the latter is 
certainly the befl, and the coarfer the better), a num- 
ber of flakes are put down in parallel lines, at about 
ten feet apart, or nearer (for accuracy, 'the clofer the 
better), leaving only four inches of them to appear 
above the furface ; the covering fluff is then laid on, 
to be equal to the tops of the flakes. It is eafy to ex- 
amine the flakes after the foil is laid on, where any 
fufpicion may arife; but, as it is fo eafily detected, 
there is feldom any advantage taken by the tafkers, 
and the more fo, as a penalty is always inflicted where 
there is the Jeafl appearance of fraud. I fhould have 
remarked before, that the white meadow grafs is fown 
in large quantities on the bogs, after being levelled, 
and previous to the laying on of the clay or gravel, 
which feldom fails to produce a permanent and flrong 
furface, capable of preventing the hard materials from 
finking. 

To enumerate the different works, carried on by 
tafk throughout the demefne of Rafti and its environs, 
would fwell this article far beyond my prefent plan ; I 
(hall, therefore, only give a general hint how to afcer- 
tain a reafonable price. 

It 



APPENDIX. 79 

It has been already obferved, that the prices of talk- 
work muft be governed by thofe of common day- 
labour. Old eftablimed rules, fuch as the prices of 
ditches, drains, &c. are eafily afcertained from long 
habit and experience ; but it is not eafy to determine 
the value, which fhould be fixed for many other 
works, which may occur in an extenfive improvement, 
and it requires both ingenuity and addrefs to be able to 
deal fairly with labourers, who are in general very 
keen with refpett to the making of bargains favour- 
able to their own views. 

In order to fettle any doubts, which may arife with 
refpect to the fair value to be given for any job of talk- 
work, which at firft view may be found difficult to de- 
termine, the labourer fhould be kept ignorant of the 
mode of payment ; that is, whether by day-labour, or 
by tafk-work. A few days, or perhaps a few hours, 
may determine what may be thought a reafonable 
price by ta(k-work. It is needlefs to remark here, 
how very neceflary it is to have a trufly confidential 
perfon to fuperintend any bufmefs of this nature, and 
efpecially at the commencement of it. If labourers are 
kept ignorant, during the whole time of executing any 
job of work, of the manner in which they are to be 
paid, they will, of courfe, work diligently, becaufe, if the 
payment fhould be made in confideration of tafk-work, 
without working diligently they would m the end find 
themfelves much difappointed. It is, however, by far 

u the 



*© APPENDIX. 

the befl mode for all concerned, to determine the price 
as foon as may be convenient, by which the labourer 
will undertake his work at once with fpirit and ala- 
crity, and the employer will be certain of having his 
work done expeditioufly. 

I have often afcertained the object: of my wiflies, by- 
placing a fteady labourer, for a few hours only, at a job 
Of labouring work, the fair price of which at firft view 
appeared doubtful. A perfon may take out his watch 
after he turns his back to a labourer, walk away, and 
return again at a certain time, and thus be able to cal- 
culate the fair price, that mould be given. 

To enable tafk-labourers to carry on different kinds 
of work with eafe and facility, fomething better than 
the common fpade and /hovel, peculiar to the county, 
is allowed to them. Ten pounds a year go a great 
way in purchafing drain-tools, navigation-fhovels, pick- 
axes, cafting-fcoops, &c. Without allowing labourers 
implements properly calculated for different kinds of 
talk-work, complete execution cannot be expected. 

Complete implements for labourers, ufually employed 
in tafk-work, are always in readinefs at Rafti, to be 
given out to them occailonally ; and, in order to pre- 
vent thofe tools from being loft, or otherwife difpofed 
of, fevere fines are inflicted, generally double the value 
of the article ; becaufe, if only the value of it was 
charged, the labourer would fuffer nothing by felling 
it at the fame price. 

In 



APPENDIX. ?i 

In giving out implements to talkers, the firft point 
is, to charge them double value on the debt fide of 
their account, which charge is taken off at the conclu- 
fion of the work, when the articles are delivered up 
unbroken, or without being damaged, otheiwife than 
common wear, for which they are never charged ; but 
if they break an article during the time they have it in 
charge, they mud repair it at their own expence. 



Sect. 9. Manner of training up Boys, fo as to become 
ufeful, Jleady Labourers, with a number of ways to em-\ 
ploy them to the bejl advantage the year round. Alfo> 
fever al Modes, by which old Men, when partly pafl their 
labour, may be applied to advantage to themfelves and 
their Employers. 

A consideration of the greatefl importance is, that 
of raifing a race of ufeful perfons, at the commence- 
ment of every ufeful and extenfive improvement. At 
Rafh this precaution was early attended to, which 
fince has been productive of many folid advantages, 
both to the proprietor, and the individuals themfelves. 

Since, in all great undertakings, feminary and nur- 
fery fhould always precede planting at large, boys will 
be found very ufeful from the commencement; and, by 
the time the firft courfe of feminary and nurfery may 

u 2 be 



82 APPENDIX. 

be over (probably in five or fix years), they will, of 
courfe, become very expert, and fit to engage in 
the general planting ; and, as this bufmefs encreafes, 
others, of courfe, will be coming forward. After 
ferving fo long a period in the infant part of the im- 
provement, they will be found more ufeful than 
grown-up perfons, picked up indifcriminately through 
the country at large. At leaft boys, thus trained, the 
writer knows, . from long experience, to have uni- 
formly turned out the beft planters and ground- 
workers, having, by early habits, acquired a degree of 
fmartnefs and activity, which they feldom depart from 
when grown up, or even in an advanced ftage of life. 

Perhaps in this place it may not be amifs to (hew 
how to fecure boys, fo as to make them attend regularly 
to the works of a demefne, till they may become of more 
general ufe to themfelves and to their employers. Un- 
lefs fome effectual method be taken, they will always 
wifti to wander upon every trifling occafion, or any 
advantage they think may turn out in their favour. 

The method followed at Rafti I mall briefly flate. 

Boys, from ten to twelve years of age, are ufually 
taken in from time to time. They remain two years 
at /\d. a day; the third year they receive 5*/; the 
fourth, and fometimes not until the fifth year, the 
wages are advanced to 6d.\ and, in the courfe of a 
year or two after, they are raifed to man's wages, or 
8d. a day. 

When 



APPENDIX. 83 

When a lad is found to have an extraordinary {hare 
of ability and fmartnefs, one year of his time is given 
up, or, in other words, he is put on man's wages a 
year before the ufual time. 

I am apt to believe, that a fyftem, which has been 
found to be of fuch general ufe by the ever to be re- 
gretted the late Lord Mountjoy, will not eafily be for- 
gotten by his fucceflbr ; nor do I in the leaft defpair of 
finding it become general throughout our extenfive 
improvements in the kingdom at large. 

It is eafy to conceive, that the certainty of having 
the wages raifed, at fixed periods, induces the boys 
to ferve out their refpeclive times. If, however, it 
mould fo happen, that a lad, through tricks, or other 
motives, fuch as going to fervice to a farmer, or the 
like, and if, after fome time, he mould change his 
mind, and wifh to return again to join his work, in 
this cafe he mull begin again, as if he never had been 
entered at all, though the tranfgreffion mould be com- 
mitted the laft year previous to his being entitled to 
man's wages ; thus few defertions ever take place. 

Upon the other hand, if any perfon, either young or 
old, at Rajhy fhould meet with any accident, when actu- 
ally engaged in any of the works, his time is always al- 
lowed, as if he had been at work. Rafi is feldom 
without a great number of invalids ; the great number 
of working people, together with their intrepidity, fully 
accounts for this circumftance. 

Here 



«4 APPENDIX. 

Here is another great inducement held out; namely, 
ibme of the boys, through merit, deferve higher wages 
than others. Dexterity in pruning, grafting, inoculat- 
ing, making cuttings and layers, clipping hedges, with 
many other nice works, which naturally occur in fuch 
an extenfive demefne, are motives to give encourage- 
ment to the mod deferving. The afpiring lads do, 
therefore, avail themfelves of fuch opportunities as lie 
open to them. The moft active will, of courfe, be firft 
promoted to ferve gentlemen as planters, &c. ; the next 
clafs ftep into the place of the firft, and the third into 
that of the fecond, and fo on, flep by ftep, to the 
loweft boy. Thus, like the army, there is always a 
feries of promotions after the firfl takes place. 

Here it may not be amifs to point out the moft likely 
ways of employing the boys to advantage the year 
round, fince the cafe is not the fame with them as with 
grown-up labourers, who may be fet to many kinds of 
flock-jobs in all weathers ; whereas with young lads 
there muft be works laid out fuited to their ftrength 
and conftitution, particularly in the winter months; 
otherwife they will not be found ufeful. 

I fhall now ftate the principal works fuited to boys, 
and particularly fuch as occur at Ram, and (hall begin 
with the fpring quarter, at which feafon there never 
can be a lofs for ufeful employment for them. 

The moft aukward of the planting labourers are ge- 
nerally employed in making holes for trees ; the moft 

expert 



APPENDIX. 85 

expert of the boys are commonly engaged in planting 
them, for which purpofe they are better calculated 
than labourers in general are, efpecially where the foil 
is loofe, and the plants fmall. The weakeft of the boys 
anfwer to carry the plants about from place to place, 
and alfo to drefs and fettle the ground after the planters, 
to pick off ftones, and to do other ufeful works. This 
clafs alfo, with an intelligent perfon over them as a cap- 
tain, are extremely well calculated for bringing up the 
rere of the planting, by fowing broom, furze, and la- 
burnum-feeds for fhelter. 

In like manner they may be employed in planting 
out nurferies. Indeed in that fpecies of planting there 
are fo many ways of performing it, that the weakeft of 
them may be employed to as ufeful purpofes as the 
ftrongeft. 

When much planting is to be performed in one fea- 
fon, which here is commonly the cafe, fmall parties are 
formed, with an intelligent perfon at the head of each, 
and efpecially when the feafon's planting lies fcattered 
and detached ; but, when the work lies connected and 
compact, the reverfe is the general practice, in order 
to keep all as much as poilible under the eye of the 
head planter ; a fyftem which, in all cafes, let the 
work be what it may, fhould be attended to as much 
as poflible. 

So much for the fpring, and now for the fummer 
quarter, which naturally points out the nece/Tary works. 

I believe 



Z6 APPENDIX. 

I believe I need not point out, that weeding and 
cleaning the plantations, nurferies, feminaries, ditches, 
&c. muft form the moft effential parts of the fummer 
works. For thefe works boys are extremely well cal- 
culated, lince a boy, in fuch cafes, may be found as 
ufcful as a man, and frequently more fo. 

The regulations, with refpect to tools and imple- 
ments, may probably, with fome propriety, be intro- 
duced here, though fome hints have already been 
given upon that head. 

Each boy is fumiftied with a fcufHer or pufhing- 
hoe, a weeding-knife, &c, which are numbered and 
charged to their refpective accounts *, otherwife thofe 
articles could never be kept together with any degree 
of regularity. At the latter end of the feafon, when 
the works of the nurferies, &c. are over, the imple- 
ments are put up, and the charge taken off the boys 
till the enfuing feafon, when it commences again, and 
fo on. But this fyftem is not confined to the planters 
alone -, it is general in all other departments in the 
demefne. 

As the care and management of tools and imple- 
ments in an extenfive demefne is a matter of great 
confequence, and one which the matter of works 
mould be particularly attentive to, I (hail throw out a 
few obfervations by way of advice. 

The firft thing to confider is, to take an exact in- 
ventory of all the tools and implements in the place, 

ranging 



APPENDIX. 87 

ranging every article under its proper head; the charge 
of which fhould be given to one perfon only, who 
/hould be of a (harp retentive turn. Every fet of arti- 
cles fhould be numbered ; for example, wheel-barrows 
No. 1, 2, 3, &c, and fo on with all other articles. 
This will enable the perfon, who is in charge, to keep 
a regular account. Next, let that perfon charge the ar- 
ticles to thofe, who may occupy them ; not the real va- 
lue, but the double of it, or, at leaft, confiderably 
above the value. This charge mould remain in force, 
till the articles are returned, whether broken or not. 
Wear and tear upon all articles cannot be avoided, nor 
is it fair to charge fuch to the labourer's account ; in 
fome inftances, however, according to contract, it is 
common and fair that talkers fhould return articles in 
the fame order, in which they got them. 

There fhould be, of all kinds of tools and imple- 
ments about a demefne or place, fome fpare ones ia 
readinefs, in order to fupply the place of fuch as may 
chance to be loft or broken. Such need not be num- 
bered, becaufe they only fland as fubflitutes, in cafe a 
repair only be neceffary for the abfent article; but, if 
that article be loft, the fubftitute fhould be numbered 
agreeably to the number of the former. Thus re- 
gularity will be always kept up, and labourers and 
tafkers will meet with no interruption in the progrefs 
of their works. 

A fteady 



$* APPENDIX. 

A fleady perfon, charged with the above kind of ar- 
rangement, is one of the moft ufeful men that can be 
employed in a demefne, or where much works are 
carrying on. 

I believe I need not point out the great advantage 
there is in keeping all articles clean and dry, when 
laid up, or not in ufe. The oftener they are called in, 
and newly arranged, the better, as thereby there will 
be fewer miflakes and loiTes. 

The new implements, &c. mould always be kept 
feparate from the old ones, in diftincl: columns. 

It is now full time to return, in order to point out 
the works of the autumn quarter. 

The beginning of this quarter is ufually taken up in 
putting out evergreen fhrubs, fuch as laurel, Portugal 
laurel, lauruftinus, &c, and, alfo, in planting cuttings 
of the fame, and in many other articles, fuch as cleaning 
hedges for the laft time, when it fo happens that two 
weedings are necefTary in one feafon. 

But the greateft point of all to attend to, fhould be 
that of fecuring young trees put out the lafl fpring, 
particularly of the pine kind. This is the time to give 
the finishing flroke to every plant encumbered with 
grafs and weeds ; becaufe, if fuch fpontaneous growth 
mould remain till too late in the feafon, the rains and 
damps, which ufually take place at that time, rot the 
vegetable matter about the tender branches of the 
young plants, to their great detriment, and very often 

to 



APPENDIX. $<} 

to their total deftrucYion. By not paying due attention 
to this particular, more plants fufFer than by all other 
accidents put together, at leaft in moift fituations. In- 
deed this precaution is perhaps more necefTary in Ire- 
land, than in England or Scotland. 

In fuch cafes, the boys are furnifhed with fmall 
hooks or fickles, which are alfo numbered, and 
charged to them ; and, upon fuch occafions, a boy is 
found of more ufe than a man. 

In the latter part of the quarter, boys are employed 
to great advantage, in trenching ground, and digging 
nurferies. In thefe works the weakefl of them are 
placed at the lighted and eafieft parts. In the former, 
marking out the lines for the trenchers, and (hovelling 
up the crumbling mould from the trenches, are works 
fuitable to their ftrength. In the latter, cleaning the 
rows of plants, before the diggers, is a kind of bufi- 
nefs, to which boys are well calculated. Thus, by a 
judicious diftribution of the whole, no part can be ufe- 
lefsly employed. 

Collecting various kinds of feeds is peculiarly fuited 
10 boys, as their dexterity in climbing gives them the 
preference to men. Upon thofe occafions they are 
generally tajked\ that is, each of them muft produce a 
certain meafure every evening, after "the day's gather- 
ing, and continue the fame allowance fo long as. the 
feeds continue plenty. But the ufual way is, to pay Co 

much 



9© APPENDIX 

much a meafure, according to the fpecies of feed ; and 
fome articles are paid for by weight, to prevent the im- 
pojfition of mixing leaves and ftalks with the pure feeds. 
When the feeds are weighed, the boy is always a lofer 
by collecting leaves and ftalks, fince a meafure of pure 
feeds will always weigh better than when adulterated. 
The meafure of pure feeds, however, with refpecl: to 
weight, is afcertained at the beginning of the feafon, 
which prevents any difputes that may arife. Sixteen 
gallons is the ufual meafure. In haws, when gathered 
clean, fuch meafure is commonly equal to eight ftone 
and a half ; a(h and fycamore keys about fix ftone; 
and fo on. 

I have now accounted for three quarters of the year 
fpent in ufeful works, to which I might add many more, 
but fhall proceed to the lafl or winter quarter ; in which, 
though boys may not be fo ufefully employed as at 
other feafons, yet, notwithftanding, many works may 
be ftruck out for them to ufeful purpofes. In the be- 
ginning of the quarter, haws, holly-berries, fpindle- 
tree, &c. are ufually collected. Joined with labourers, 
boys are ufefully employed in turning and forming 
compofts ; they break the clods, &c. and blend the 
parts together. In funfhine weather they may be em- 
ployed in collecting ftones off of lawns, and newly laid 
down grounds. 

Boys are found extremely ufeful in collecting leaves 
in the woods and plantations. Even though the leaves 

fhould 



APPENDIX. 91 

fh-ould be applied only to affifl: in making manure for 
potatoes, they, notwithftanding, pay amply for the 
trouble attending them. Indeed there are few works 
boys can be better employed at on a cold winter's day, 
than collecting of leaves. 

Boys are employed to a very good . purpofe, in 
bringing the prunings and loppings of trees to con- 
venient places for cars to get at them conveniently. 

Thefe are but few among the many works, that this 
little army are ufefully employed in ; the nature of the 
place, and other circumftances, always point out the 
moil ufeful works to engage in. 

By good management, there can be no doubt but 
boys may always be found ufeful; but, even if this 
mould not be exactly the cafe in winter, it is good 
policy to retain them under half-pay, or for fome 
trifle, till the bufy feafon, in order that they may not 
be altogether a burden to their parents, and that they 
may be at hand, and in readinefs, when there is a 
preffing call, and not fufFered to wander through the 
country, as, probably, it might not be eafy to collect 
them again when moft wanted. 

There is fcarcely a labourer now (1802) at Rafh, in 
any department, who was not formerly employed when 
a boy, and from one flage of pay advanced to another, 
till he arrived to man's wages; no wonder, there- 
fore, that it mould have, within the laft twenty years 
(ending 1802), produced a great number of ufeful 

hands, 



$i APPENDIX. 

hands, probably more fo than any other part of the 
United kingdom. Indeed many of them are planters, 
of no fmall confequence, to noblemen and gentlemen 
throughout the kingdom. 

Some of the labourers, found at Rafh at the com- 
mencement of the improvements, are at this time old 
men. 

Care has been taken, from time to time, to provide 
fuch labourers with employments in the demefne, fuit- 
able to their flrength and circumflances. The follow- 
ing may ferve to mew, how far this falutary object has 
been carried into execution, and alfo, what the late 
Lord Mountjoy's further intentions were, which, there 
is every reafon to hope, will be perfected by his fon, 
the prefent Lord Mountjoy. 



Obfervations with refpeel to old Men and their families — 
the manner of employing them — luith remarks on an 
hofpital intended to be erecled for their reception* 

The prefent practice is, when a labourer drops off, 
fo as not to be able to fupport his ufual rank or^ftation 
among his fellow labourers, to place him at fome flight 
work, fuitable to his flrength and capacity. In gene- 
ral a yearly allowance is fixed, moft commonly five or 
fix pounds, with a cabin, and other privileges, fuch as 

potatoe- 



APPENDIX. 93 

potatoe-land and turf, and, if he has a wife, a fpot for. 
flax, generally half a rood of land. There are fome 
inftances, however, of making it a daily allowance in- 
flead of. a yearly one, the better to prevent impofition, 
which, indeed, upon thofe and many other occafions, 
cannot be too much guarded againit, fince there is no- 
thing more common, with thofe invalids, than to re- 
prefent their health to be much worfe than is really 
the cafe. In this cafe a charge is made of the privi- 
leges, and he gets credit for the time he works, either 
by the day, by the job, or piece-work, as the cafe 
may be. 

. When the invalid dies, if he mould leave a widow, 
which is moll: commonly the cafe, me is taken care of 
alfo, by allowing her fome portion of what her huf- 
band enjoyed, indeed frequently the whole of it, and 
efpecialjy if fhe fhould be encumbered with any charge, 
which often happens to be the cafe. 

The following are only a few, among the various 
jobs invalids are generally employed at throughout 
Lord Mountjoy's improvements. 

Lodge-keepers. 

Preparing walks and drives, where flight repairs 
only are neceflary •, Conducting water from them after 
fudden rains, &c. 

Making up billet- wood, &c. for fuel. 

Cutting and preparing fcollops for thatching. 

Sweeping 



94 APPENDIX. 

Sweeping yards, &c. 

Attending cattle, poultry, pigs, &c. 

Weeding nurferies, ditches, &c 

Collecting leaves for manure. 

Picking and preparing potatoes for feed, and for 
food for cattle, &c 

Making various kinds of creels and bafkets. 

Drawing ftraw for thatching. 

Turning and preparing dung and compoft heaps. 

Spreading dung for potatoes, &c. &c. 

Old men are of great ufe on many occafions ; indeed 
I have known many of them to be more fo than per- 
fons in the meridian of life. The only point to at- 
tend to is, to fet them to works fuitable to their 
Strength and conltitution, and they will always be 
found ufeful to themfelves, and to their employers and 
patrons. 

Old men in general are fond of company. If two 
of them are placed together, they look upon them- 
felves to be well treated. They fpend the day in talk- 
ing over pafl times, and of tbrir great pats when young 
men ; yet all this will not prevent them from going on 
with their works in a flew but fure manner. 

In fetting old men to wouk, many jobs mould not 
be laid out, or propoied to them at one time, as in ge- 
neral they are forgetful. The bed way to make the 
mod of them is, to praife their performances, and find 
as little fault as poffible, fince they are in general te- 
nacious 



APPENDIX. 95 

nacious of their own ways, and cannot bear the fpur, 
which, on account of their age and infirmities, ihould 
not be often applied. 

The late Lord Mountjoy had no object more at 
heart, than that of eftablifhing an hofpkal upon a large 
fcale for the accommodation of invalids, not only thole 
of the demefne, but fuch as were found proper objects 
throughout his extenfive eftates in the counties of Ty- 
rone and Donegal. His intention was to have it amply 
endowed, and divided into three principal heads or 
clalTes, namely \ 

1. For invalids, with their wives. 

2. For invalids, without wives. 

3. For widows of invalids, and other diftrefled ob- 
jects. 

Gardens to be annexed to the different departments, 
and to be cultivated, for the ufe of the whole, by fuch 
fit the invalids as were found able to work. 

Flax and wool to be ferved out to a certain propor- 
tion, to employ the women in fpinning and knitting; 
with an annual allowance of clothing and fuel for the 
whole. 

In this place I am happy to have it in my power to 
fay, that his prefent Lordfhip appears fully determined 
to put this laudable plan into execution, with many 
others, which his memorable father had fuggefled. 



FINIS. 



LfcFe'2 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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021 369 111 9 



